Mike Gillis of the Vancouver Canucks was considering signing the former Colorado Avalanche star, but said he learned Monday that Forsberg wanted to stay in his home country.

Forsberg, who is playing for Modo of the Swedish Elite League after 12 NHL seasons spent mostly with the Avalanche, has dealt with nagging ankle and foot problems for several years.

"My understanding is Peter is going to stay and play in Modo and he won't return to the NHL this year," Gillis said Monday.

"I think it's a tribute to him that he didn't want to put himself in a position where he was taking a roster spot and not being an everyday player in the NHL," Gillis said.