Hasek's agent: "He will play and he will excel"

Ritch Winter, the agent for goaltender Dominik Hasek, told ProHockeyTalk that he expects the 47-year old to play in the NHL next season.

"He will play," Winter said regarding Hasek's NHL comeback. "There is no option. He will play and he will excel and he will do all of the things he can do." Winter also claims that several NHL teams have shown interest in Hasek, although the Toronto Maple Leafs are not one of them.

Winter feels that Hasek, who turns 48 in January, has maintained his reflexes and skills due to his rigorous fitness regime. "He's actually 1.6 pounds off his playing weight at the Nagano Olympics," Winter said.

"The Dominator" has not played in the NHL since 2008, when he won his second Stanley Cup. However, the two-time Hart Trophy and six-time Vezina Trophy winner has won a Czech league title, and playoff MVP, since.