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Holmstrom still undecided about future

Johan Franzen, Tomas Holmstrom

Detroit Red Wings center Johan Franzen, left, of Sweden, is congratulated on his goal by teammate Tomas Holmstrom (96), also of Sweden, during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

AP

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.