ROMULUS, Mich. -- When Nicklas Lidstrom took off his Detroit Red Wings uniform and unlaced his skates Saturday night, the defenseman didn't wonder whether he would wear the winged wheel again.

"I swear, I didn't," he insisted.

The 40-year-old Lidstrom deflected every question from reporters about his future after getting off the team plane Sunday afternoon, about 15 hours after his season ended. The San Jose Sharks eliminated Detroit on home ice in Game 5 of their second-round series.

"I haven't thought about it yet," he said. "It's not on my mind right now.

"I don't have a timetable."

But Lidstrom acknowledged knowing the Red Wings want an answer from him before free agency begins July 1.

Detroit general manager Ken Holland hopes to meet with every player, including Lidstrom, within the next two weeks and wants to re-sign Lidstrom.

"We want him back," Holland said. "I don't know what process he's got to go through."

Lidstrom didn't publicly provide any clues, saying he hasn't even privately discussed the options with his wife and kids. He has spent his entire 18-season career with the Red Wings.

The Swedish superstar seemed to slip from great to good this season, contributing 49 points -- his second-lowest total in 14 seasons -- then his mistakes were noticed for a change in the playoffs. He wasn't a finalist for the Norris Trophy for just the second time in more than a decade.

Just two years ago, though, he was honored as the NHL's best defenseman for a sixth time to put him behind only Bobby Orr's and Doug Harvey's total.

"I don't think I'm that far away from where I was two years ago," Lidstrom said.

Lidstrom played in his 247th playoff game Saturday night, matching Patrick Roy's mark and trailing only Chris Chelios' record total of 266. But he doesn't plan to play long enough to challenge the 48-year-old Chelios' longevity.

"If I'm going to continue to play, that's not going to be a goal of mine," Lidstrom said with a smile.