Helene St. James

Detroit Free Press

More and more signs are pointing to Daniel Alfredsson retiring rather than returning to the Detroit Red Wings.

Alfredsson, less than two months shy of his 42nd birthday, is no longer skating at Joe Louis Arena on his own, and last week told general manager Ken Holland there wasn't much chance that would change.

"He was feeling pretty good, but was getting frustrated because he wasn't getting over the hump," Holland told the Free Press Wednesday. "He would feel good, push it, and have a setback. He was frustrated because he was not able to get to the point where he wants to be at to tell me he wants to practice with us."

Holland told Alfredsson to take more time, that the Wings are "prepared to wait a little longer." It's dubious anything will change, however.

Alfredsson, a native of Sweden, is still in Detroit, as he and his family all along made plans to live in the metro area through the 2014-15 school year. Alfredsson joined the Wings in the summer of 2013 after 17 seasons with the Ottawa Senators, and by all accounts relished his time with the Wings.

The satisfaction was mutual, as the Wings told Alfredsson after last spring's playoff elimination he'd be welcome for an encore. Alfredsson wanted back too - but was wary of recurring back pain that last season limited him to 68 games.

He spent this past summer doing everything possible to strengthen his back, only to suffer a setback five days after joining former teammates for informal skates at the Joe. He resumed skating on his own late last month, but now isn't even doing that.

Alfredsson hasn't spoken publicly on the matter. His agent did not return a call seeking comment.

Alfredsson has made it clear he doesn't want to return if he can't contribute. the Wings have urged him to make sure he's 100% certain of that before calling a retirement press conference.

"I told him to take a period of time, let his body tell him whether he can play or not," Holland said. "I know he doesn't come to the rink. I talked to him a week ago, he wanted to know if we needed him to make a decision, I told him I can wait a little longer."

Alfredsson has world-class smarts, but no athlete is immune to the physical deterioration that comes with age, and at nearly 42, a return appears less and less realistic.

Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.