"Teemu Selanne has been pushing back his announcement regarding his plans for the 2011-12 season and Ducks GM Bob Murray shared some thoughts about why his winger might be indecisive after talking to him late last week.

During a conference call with reporters to announce coach Randy Carlyle's new contract extension, Murray said he spoke with Selanne on Friday and said that "he's been struggling a bit" with his problematic left knee following arthroscopic surgery in June back in Finland.

"I think he was getting depressed with the whole thing and then I think he had a few days where it wasn't bugging him," Murray said Monday. "I think he intends to go pretty hard this week with the bigger boys that are there in Helsinki. We are scheduled to speak after this week is over."

Before Jaromir Jagr decided to return to the NHL and sign with Philadelphia in July, Selanne was the league's leading active goal scorer with 637 and finished 2010-11 just behind Mike Modano with 1,340 points. Jagr leads all European-born and trained players in league history with 646 goals and 1,599 points.

Selanne reportedly told a Finnish newspaper that he intends to announce in September whether he'll retire or return to the Ducks for another season. Murray said he has "no time frame on him whatsoever" and does not want to push Selanne into making a decision.

"I want him to be healthy," the executive said.

Murray said he has a backup plan in case the 41-year-old Selanne does opt to hang up his skates but would not share any specifics. The Ducks could have a gaping hole on the second line if that does occur as the winger had 31 goals and 80 points last season — the second-most productive NHL season for a player 40 years or older."