Hasek says he may reconsider his retirement

Buffalo Sabres goalie Dominik Hasek says he is having second thoughts about retiring at the end of this season.

Buffalo Sabres goalie Dominik Hasek says he is having second thoughts about retiring at the end of this season.

In an interview published today by the Czech newspaper Sport, Hasek said that while he has not decided definitely to postpone his retirement, he is thinking about it.

"I was looking forward to my last season," Hasek said. "I was planning how fine everything will go." But he added: "I would mind very much to quit after a poor season."

Buffalo is currently in fourth place in the NHL's Northeast Division with a 13-15-5 season mark.

Hasek has been talking about postponing his retirement since Saturday, when he hinted during a ceremony in Prague that he was having second thoughts.

"Nothing is final, if everything goes well for me, I may continue," Hasek said at the ceremony, in his he was honored as one of the top Czech athletes of the year.

Hasek suffered a groin injury in late October and is not expected to be back before January.

"Now, when I don't play, I'm thinking much more," Hasek said. "My current priority is my comeback in full strength."

"The alternative that I would retire later is possible," he added. "I'm thinking about it. But officially, I don't change ... my summer decision that I'm quitting after this season."

Hasek underwent surgery in Munich, Germany, in August to repair a hernia and missed 12 games last season because of a strained groin.