DETROIT -- Nicklas Lidstrom doesn't want to be one of those athletes who retires prematurely and lives to regret it.

That is why the Detroit Red Wings captain will take his time in deciding whether to return next season.

"Even when you're done playing, I'm sure you're going to have moments where you wish you were playing again,'' Lidstrom said. "I talked to former players who retired and the years have gone by and they sometimes have that urge and competitiveness and want to play again.

"I'm not sure if I've accomplished everything I wanted. That's one of the factors coming into play as well.''

He will meet with general manager Ken Holland in the next couple of weeks and said he has no timetable for making a decision. But he will let the club know before July 1, the start of free agency.

Lidstrom is providing few clues, leaving teammates and the front office guessing.

When word surfaced that Lidstrom has enrolled his oldest son, Kevin, in a hockey school in Sweden for next fall, it appeared to be an ominous sign for the club. But Lidstrom said he's just covering his bases in case he retires.

"That's something for his age (16) we had to do. Otherwise, if we're going back to Sweden, he wouldn't have a school,'' Lidstrom said. "We had to do that regardless of whether we were staying or not. It was just to keep our options open.''

Lidstrom, 40, has no doubt he can continue to play a high level. He also said the club will be competitive.

His decision will be based on his motivation to play and his family's wishes.

"I think you're always going to have that passion within you, whether you retire or are still playing,'' Lidstrom said. "You got a feel for the game, you're going to be watching games. You'll probably going to want to be in games, even though you're 55 or 60.''

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock and many of the players expect Lidstrom to return.

"I think Nick will be playing for sure,'' Pavel Datsyuk said. "I don't know if he can play like (Chris) Chelios to 47, but he can play for two years more. He has good shape. For how he played, he's a top-five defenseman in the league.''