Going into fantasy hockey drafts this season, there were three players who were teetering on retirement (or had actually announced their retirement), but fantasy players were still choosing them in their pools. The three players were: Teemu Selanne, Scott Niedermayer and Peter Forsberg.

Selanne and Niedermayer were contemplating retirement shortly after winning the Stanley Cup in June. Neither player has yet to make a decision on whether or not they will return. Both players were taken late in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts where it seemed like a good place to take a chance.

Forsberg was a different story in that he had been injury-prone for years and wanted to make sure that he was healthy enough to return before selecting an NHL team to play for. He was selected in most pools behind Niedermayer, but ahead of Selanne.

It's now a bit more than a month into the season and Peter Forsberg appears to be the first one to make his decision. He left the ice on Monday in Sweden after re-injuring his foot and it looks like his Hall of Fame career will be over. I'm sure he won't announce his retirement immediately, but he does not want to take an NHL's team money while he is hurt so it is doubtful that he will sign this season.

Niedermayer and Selanne should make their decision by the beginning of the New Year. I would think that if the Ducks are struggling, both players would not be interested in returning as they both want a shot at another Stanley Cup if they do return. However, if the Ducks turn their season around, look for both Niedermayer and Selanne to return, a la Roger Clemens.

Right now it appears that the Forsberg selection will be a wasted one, but Niedermayer and Selanne could still return, making their late selections a possible late season gold mine for fantasy owners.