Predators General Manager David Poile said Tuesday he doubts center Peter Forsberg will play in the NHL next season.

Poile stressed that his opinion was not based on talks with Forsberg since the end of the season, but simply on all the wear and tear that Forsberg has gone through over the course of his 12 NHL seasons.

Poile's initial response to a question of whether he thought the Predators would re-sign Forsberg was, "Honestly, no.''

He then said he thought Forsberg was giving a lot of consideration to not returning to the NHL for the 2007-08 season.

"If he said he was going to play, I don't think he'd rule out Nashville,'' Poile said. "I think his experience was good here.

"I don't think he's thinking, 'I'll only play in Denver.' … I think he's thinking of not playing.''

No rushed decision

The Predators acquired Forsberg just before the trade deadline and he produced 15 points in 17 regular-season games, along with four points in five playoff games.

He's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of June.

On Monday, Forsberg, who struggled with foot issues all season, said he's in no hurry to decide on whether he'll play in the NHL next season.

"There's no deadline,'' Forsberg said. "Obviously if I play over here, free agency starts the first of July. But there's no rush for me.

"I'll take as long as it takes. If I don't feel like making a decision by the first of July, I'll wait until I feel I can make a decision. That's only fair.''

Poile said he hasn't eliminated the possibility of Forsberg returning next season, and added that he was willing to be flexible if Forsberg displayed any interest.

"I'll talk to him in the next couple of days,'' Poile said. "Obviously I'll ask (about his status) and if he needs some time to think about it and he tells me hasn't ruled out Nashville, then I'll tell him, 'Take as much time as you want.' ''

End of a career

Poile doesn't expect an answer in the near future.

"He's not mentally or physically in any frame of mind to make a decision,'' Poile said. "We'll just have to see how his summer goes. It's not about money. It's just whether he physically wants to do it again.''

Forsberg, a former NHL MVP and a two-time Stanley Cup winner, is considered a lock for the Hockey Hall of Fame. In 697 regular-season games over 12 seasons, he's posted 871 points (248 goals, 623 assists).

Poile said the Predators made the deal for Forsberg knowing full well this might be his last season.

"We totally accept that,'' Poile said. "That was the deal.''