Duff on Zetterberg’s status

Hockeybuzz’s Bob Duff duly notes that Henrik Zetterberg recently spoke about his off-season decision-making process, and it doesn’t sound like Zetterberg is ready to retire…yet…

“Well, for me it’s going to be the same as I’ve been doing the last couple of years,” Zetterberg said. “I will go into the off-season and try to have a good summer, work on my health and hopefully I can come back and be better.”

He doesn’t sound like a guy who’s about to hang up his skates, and it’s interesting to note that since the back surgery that he underwent in 2014, Zetterberg has missed just five games over the past four seasons, and will go into Saturday’s game having appeared in 245 consecutive games.

“Ever since my back surgery that’s been one of the goals, to be able to play as many games as possible,” Zetterberg said. “But in the same way, you want to be able to do something out there, too. You don’t just want to put on the skates. You want to be able to produce and help your team. I felt last year was a good year, and it maybe hasn’t been as good this year.”

He indicated that the disappointment of missing the playoffs the last two seasons will have no bearing on his future with the Wings.

“It’s no fun losing, but I still have a lot of fun playing hockey and being around this group of guys,” Zetterberg said. “Obviously, it would be a lot more fun if we’d still be playing after this weekend. In decision making I don’t think that has anything to do with it.”

Continued, with Zetterberg stating that his health will be the final determinant as to whether he returns or not…