Mincing words and Mathieu Perreault just don’t seem to mix.

So it came as little surprise when the Winnipeg Jets voiced a strong opinion when asked about expectations for the upcoming season on Thursday after an informal skate at the Bell MTS Iceplex.

“Honestly, I just want us to win games and have fun winning and making the playoffs. That’s all that matters to me,” said Perreault, who had 13 goals and 45 points in 65 games last season. “We understand this group is a group that should be making the playoffs. There’s no excuses for us.”

After making the playoffs in 2014-15, his first season with the Jets, Perreault hasn’t been afraid to voice his displeasure regarding missing out on the post-season in each of the past two springs.

Perreault, 29, had been on playoff teams with both the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks and has a good idea of what it takes to get there.

“On those teams, I was a third liner and was happy to be there,” said Perreault. “When you have a good team and put it all together, you just start winning games and it (becomes) a rolling ball. If we can get off to a good start and get that ball rolling, have that good feeling all the time in the room.

“We have enough talent to do that.”

Adding Dmitry Kulikov should bolster a defence corps that played only a period and a half with its top-six last season because of a variety of injuries and with Jacob Trouba missing the first 15 games because of a contract stalemate.

“Now you look at our D corps and it’s as good as anybody in the league, really,” said Perreault. “If Tyler (Myers) is healthy and playing at 100%, you’ve got (Dustin Byfugien) and (Trouba), those are your right defencemen. Now you’ve got Kulikov on the left side with (Josh) Morrissey, who last year was great and we’re expecting he’s going to be even better and I think he will be. Then you’ve got Toby (Enstrom) and that veteran presence who can play the (penalty kill) and any kind of minutes for us. That’s a solid D corps.”

On a personal level, Perreault is coming off a season that was both productive and occasionally frustrating.

Perreault finished strong following a slow start, but he also battled a variety of injuries – including a back issue that initially reared its ugly heard early in the campaign and lingered throughout.

“I think it came from playing centre and taking a lot of draws, with the twisting motion. It’s an injury from taking so many faceoffs over the years since I was five,” said Perreault. “I took care of it pretty much all summer, it’s one of those things where I have to stay on it. I’ve been skating all summer and working out, I haven’t felt anything, so it should be good.”

Perreault has shown plenty of versatility since joining the Jets as an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2014, but he’s more comfortable on the wing and believes not playing centre should help him stay healthier.

“It’s obvious now that I’m going to be a winger and I’m comfortable in that position,” said Perreault. “I’m more effective as a winger and I can use my skills and my offensive ability more.”

After dealing with some uncertainty regarding his future – mostly related to speculation about the expansion draft for the Vegas Golden Knights – Perreault will be able to enter this season with a clear head.

And without any worries about finding his name attached to any trade rumours, since he’s about to start a four-year extension he signed with the Jets in the summer of 2016.

Perreault enjoyed plenty of success playing alongside Bryan Little and rookie sensation Patrik Laine late last season, but he’s going to go with the flow when it comes to possible linemates in 2017-18.

“We’ll take it as it comes,” said Perreault. “Obviously, we had a great end to the year last year. We had a great stretch playing with (Little) and (Laine). Even before that, playing with (Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler), it was good. We’ve got some firepower up front.

“We’ve got the tools to make it happen. So hopefully, we can get it all together and win some games.”

Hendricks helps keep things loose

Mathieu Perreault knows better than most what Matt Hendricks can bring to the table for the Winnipeg Jets.

Perreault and Hendricks were teammates with the Washington Capitals when both players were working to establish themselves as NHLers.

“He’s going to be great for this room. He’s a very vocal guy, (brings) a lot of enthusiasm with his personality and his game,” said Perreault. “Our room has been a quiet room in past years and he’s the guy that can bring that energy, (be) vocal in the room, like this team needs. He’s always making jokes, making everybody feel comfortable.

“I’m excited we got him.”

Hendricks, 36, signed a one-year deal worth an average annual value of $700,000 last week.

Jets captain Blake Wheeler also sees value in the addition of Hendricks.

“It’s just a great veteran presence to add to your room,” said Wheeler. “It’s going to mean a great deal to me to have another voice in there. I think it’s a great addition.”

kwiebe@postmedia.com

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