Gretzky Hints at Retirement : Pro hockey: King center says his level of play is unacceptable and that a repeat next season might make him consider his future.

Wayne Gretzky, disappointed and frustrated by his poorest season, says if things don’t improve next season, he will consider retirement.

With 29 games to play, Gretzky, 31, has 20 goals and 51 assists. He has never had fewer than 40 goals in his previous dozen seasons in the NHL, and only once, in his first season, did he have fewer than 100 assists.

“There is no question that there have been a lot of circumstances I have had to face up to this year,” Gretzky said Monday. “But if these numbers are what I have again next year, I’ll have to think about my future.”

Despite all of his problems, Gretzky is a contender in the scoring race. His 71 points put him in a fourth-place tie with former teammate Mark Messier behind league leader Mario Lemieux, Brett Hull and Kevin Stevens.

“I can’t compare myself to any other player in this room, or any other player in the league,” Gretzky said in the Kings’ locker room Monday. “I can only compare myself to Wayne Gretzky. I’ve got to contribute. If I can’t play at that level, well, we’ll have to see what happens.”

Gretzky simply smiled when it was pointed out that for any other NHL player battling for the scoring lead and heading for a 100-point season, retirement would be the last thing on his mind.

“That’s not enough out of me as an athlete,” he said.

Gretzky, frustrated by not only his own game but the .500 season his Kings are struggling through, said in Sports Illustrated earlier this season that he had contemplated retirement, then backtracked a week later when asked about the story.

Monday, Gretzky talked about his performance in the Canada Cup tournament before the season.

“I thought that in the Canada Cup, I played the best hockey of my career,” Gretzky said. “I didn’t lose it in three months.”

Gretzky’s coach, Tom Webster, an assistant on Team Canada in the Canada Cup event, agreed with his assessment.

“It was the best hockey I’ve ever seen Wayne Gretzky play,” Webster said. “He played the hardest I’ve ever seen him play. He worked the hardest I’ve ever seen him. He prepared the most, and he was the most dominant player on either side.”

It was also at the Canada Cup that Gretzky’s season began to unravel. Checked from behind by Gary Suter, Gretzky injured his back, the same kind of injury that resulted in his being sidelined for several playoff games two seasons ago.

His back problems lingered as the season began. And about the time Gretzky’s physical problems eased, his father, Walter, suffered a brain aneurysm.

Gretzky, extremely close to his father, has had to endure months of slow rehabilitation by the senior Gretzky.

Gretzky acknowledged Monday that his father’s condition has hampered his ability to maintain his usual high level of play.

“If you are not mentally prepared every day,” Gretzky said, “it’s going to affect your game. To be mentally ready every day is the hardest thing, with what’s going on off the ice.”

Gretzky said that, if through all his problems the Kings somehow rally and have a successful season, “This could turn out to be my most enjoyable season of all.”

Two years ago, he signed a contract extension that pays him $29.72 million over 16 years. Under the terms of the contract, he is obligated to play through the 1997-98 season.

But, he said Monday, “I won’t accept mediocrity.”