STOCKHOLM -- Colorado Avalanche forward Peter Forsberg has still not ruled out the possibility of playing for Sweden at the Salt Lake City Olympics.

"There is still a chance, (and) it would be unnecessary to close doors," he told Swedish daily Aftonbladet. "There is still time."

Forsberg, 28, has taken a break from ice hockey since mid-September following an injured-plagued season with Colorado, the defending Stanley Cup champions.

A six-time All-Star, the Swede had surgery on May 10 to remove a ruptured spleen after the Avalanche had defeated the Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference semifinals.

Forsberg is no stranger to injury. He missed eight games early last season with a strained muscle in his rib cage and a total of 33 the previous season due to shoulder, hip and concussion problems.

Sweden general manager Anders Hedberg presents his nomination of 23 players for the Winter Olympics later on Saturday. Forsberg, Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin and Detroit defender Nicklas Lidstrom were already nominated by Hedberg back in August -- along with six other players.

Forsberg has 42 goals and 66 assists in 96 career playoff games and helped the Avalanche to their first Stanley Cup title in 1996.