Player Discussion: Heinola Thread
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- Mar 10, 2010
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I was noticing that Adam Fox and Ville Heinola are the same size. Similar skating ability too. Fox is a bit more gifted offensively but skill and IQ are their common primary weapons. Fox slipped to the 3rd round in his draft for a reason and my guess is it was the size-skating combo at the time.
Here’s hoping Ville can develop into a solid asset for us. As a side note Fox didn’t enter the NHL until his draft +4 season despite putting up big numbers at Harvard.
Here’s hoping Ville can develop into a solid asset for us. As a side note Fox didn’t enter the NHL until his draft +4 season despite putting up big numbers at Harvard.
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Are you saying that if you don’t get thrown right into the lineup as a teenager it doesn’t totally ruin your development?!?!?!
Thank goodness.
In all seriousness, I expect Heinola to be in the top 4 for the last two years of his ELC. Which is huge.
Ville the Kid squeaks onto Wheeler's list of the Top 5o NHL prospects under 23 in 40th place:
NHL top 50 prospects, 2021 edition: Byfield, Caufield and Power headline Wheeler’s drafted skaters ranking
40. Ville Heinola, LHD, 20 (Winnipeg Jets — 20th overall, 2019)
Between Lukko in Liiga, the Manitoba Moose in the AHL, and an incredible showing at the world juniors to help Finland to a bronze medal (earning a place on the tournament all-star team along the way), Heinola had a really strong year for 19-20-year-old. He looks ready for the full-time leap to everyday NHL defenseman. His edgework has improved from an asset to a real advantage. He’s looking to attack and impose himself more offensively. And that has taken advantage of the biggest asset he has always had: his poise. It may take him time to build that same confidence at the NHL level because he’s not such a high-end prospect that he’s going to be handed opportunity. But I believe in him as a top-four guy at this point.
NHL top 50 prospects, 2021 edition: Byfield, Caufield and Power headline Wheeler’s drafted skaters ranking
40. Ville Heinola, LHD, 20 (Winnipeg Jets — 20th overall, 2019)
Between Lukko in Liiga, the Manitoba Moose in the AHL, and an incredible showing at the world juniors to help Finland to a bronze medal (earning a place on the tournament all-star team along the way), Heinola had a really strong year for 19-20-year-old. He looks ready for the full-time leap to everyday NHL defenseman. His edgework has improved from an asset to a real advantage. He’s looking to attack and impose himself more offensively. And that has taken advantage of the biggest asset he has always had: his poise. It may take him time to build that same confidence at the NHL level because he’s not such a high-end prospect that he’s going to be handed opportunity. But I believe in him as a top-four guy at this point.
think heinola is easily our best D prospect, and one with the highest ceiling and is my top-prospect on the Jets. Think he has a safer floor, but similar ceiling to perfetti. whether either of them reach 
, but i think Heinola at a minimum can hold down a 2nd pair.
, but i think Heinola at a minimum can hold down a 2nd pair.fox wasn't signing with either CGY or CAR, so who knows if he was ready earlier? think his situation was more of a "im never playing for these teams/only want to play with the Rangers" vs isn't ready.
scelaton
Registered User
- Jul 5, 2012
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The bolded speaks to the essence of Heinola's strength as a prospect and the rarest of commodities--hockey IQ and decision-making. I have believed from the first few times I saw him that his skating (esp first few steps) and overall strength were the only things separating him from the NHL. Those appear to have improved with time and proper development. Now we have him for 3 years on an ELC and he is ready to fill in on any pair, up and down the D lineup.
Joe Hallenback
Moderator
- Mar 4, 2005
- 15,720
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He is pretty much too good for the AHL
Yeah he's pretty darn close to ready. He just needs to consistiently play an active brand of hockey.
I personally wouldn't be opposed to creating two pairings like the JoMo/Schmidt pairing moving forward.
JoMo Schmidt
Heinola Pionk
Stanley DeMelo
Not too concerned with retaining Dillion if he doesn't prove he is able to play well with Pionk here.
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Fox also slipped because it was well known prior to draft that he wanted to play in NYC
- Mar 10, 2010
- 35,968
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I remember how good Fox and Samberg looked as a pair for Team USA at the WJHC. Wonder why Calgary drafted him if he was a flight risk?
You're dealing with kids and there's always a chance these opinions change and you can sell the team/area to them.
Sometimes it is worth a shot.
It's nice to see his NHL struggles didn't seem to linger with him. He'll be ready for his first call up
Perfect simplification of a much more complicated situation.
- Mar 10, 2010
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- Dec 29, 2016
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Would they be less of one then what that current pairing is? Atleast I'd expect them to produce way more chances in which they'd even things out more.
- Dec 29, 2016
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Yes they would - if they could ever recover the puck
That would be a super lightweight pairing with minimal defensive ability -
IMO, they would be run over in most situations and we would be back to chasing even a modestly effective cycle for most of the shift.
I might try Ville with Demelo and Pionk with Stan - but I'd rather leave it as it is for now and wait to see if Dillon settles in.
This was an idea for next year if Dillion doesn't set in.
I would also be tempted to try Stanley there if he keeps his play up. He's been a plus 3rd pairing dmen so far this year.
Yeah. I thought so too, but I posted it anyway
I'd be more inclined to put him with DeMelo and see what happens. Stanley has shown not much in 50 games.
a heinola-pionk pair i've been wary of. but, seems like there's several of examples of similarly sized pairs that perform well in limiting quality chances (xGA).
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