When it comes to deciding his future, 39-year-old Tomas Holmstrom clearly isn’t rushing to a decision. Even though we’re now well into September, the unrestricted free agent hasn’t decided if he wants to play in 2012-13 or retire.
“I will take my time,” Holmstrom said, in a Detroit Free Press report.
Should Holmstrom decide to extend his career, it would be his intention to re-sign with the Detroit Red Wings. That might be a problem though, as it’s not clear if they would have a spot for him.
Detroit already has 13 players signed to one-way contracts and Justin Abdelkader is still a restricted free agent.
Holmstrom averaged just 11:52 minutes per game in 2011-12 and he’ll likely be restricted to a bottom-six forward role again in 2012-13 if he re-signs with them.
He was originally a 10th round pick and has played in 1,026 NHL games -- all with the Detroit Red Wings. That’s good enough for sixth place on Detroit’s all-time franchise rankings, behind only Kris Draper, Steve Yzerman, Alex Delvecchio, Nicklas Lidstrom, and Gordie Howe.