Patrick Roy has said that he is close to making a decision about his future.

	Roy

And someone thinks that decision will be retirement.

According to a report in The Denver Post on Tuesday, Jacques Demers said he thinks Roy will call it quits.

Demers, who coached Roy and the Montreal Canadiens to a Stanley Cup in 1993 and who is said to have a close relationship with the goaltender, told the newspaper, "I think Patrick has played his last game."

Demers, citing a source close to Roy, said he believes Roy wants to go out while his skills are reasonably sharp, and also while his health is good.

Roy, 37, has a history of hip problems, suffering pain in the area for the past four seasons. Roy underwent surgery on his right hip before the 1999-2000 season, and missed two games this season to relieve fluid buildup in his left hip.

Meanwhile, Roy's agent, Bob Sauve, said his client is mulling his decision and that he hasn't been told anything definite.

"He's still taking a reflection, still thinking about the future," Sauve told the newspaper Monday. "This is very, very personal for him. We told him to take his time, that there's no rush. Usually at this time of the year, he's still playing for another month."

According to the report, Roy put his home in Littleton, Colo., up for sale a few months ago.

"We don't know anything more than what Patrick said after the last game," Avalanche director of media relations Jean Martineau told The Post. "It's been the same for the last couple of years for him - that he would take it year by year and make a decision in the offseason. Nothing has changed."

Roy has one year remaining on his contract, the Avs' option for $8.5 million. Colorado general manager Pierre Lacroix has said that the team would want Roy back. If Roy does call it quits, the Avs have both backup David Aebischer and Hershey Bears prospect Phil Sauve, the son of Roy's agent in the wings.