If it was just a hockey decision, Petr Nedved might have his signature on a contract with the Edmonton Oilers by now.

If it was just a hockey decision, Nedved and agent J.P. Barry, who said Monday Edmonton is one of three cities his client has short-listed as a place to play, could simply sign for, say, $10.4 million over three years with the Oilers and be done with it.

Nedved could return to a team for which he was a great fit after arriving from New York last March 3, a place where he was content and comfortable. He'd be the top centre. The big deal. And he could have it all for, at worst, a few hundred thousand bucks less than what the highest bidder might offer.

If it was about proving he wears the pants in the family, Nedved could tell bride Veronica Verakova the Oilers are paying him big money, so she'll be packing her supermodel backside to Alberta because, well, that's just the way life as an NHL wife is.

If only it was as simple as that.

"Let's face it, the reality is Veronica can't work in Edmonton," Nedved said from the Czech Republic yesterday.

"That's a fact. Edmonton is a great city, but, unfortunately, it's not the capital of fashion. For her career, it's obviously not the right spot. For my career, it is."

A CAREER DECISION

Nedved, 32, who took his vows with the 27-year-old Verakova July 3, is making a career decision that will affect both of them. And while the honeymoon is over, he isn't about to start down the path of wedded bliss by issuing marching orders.

Besides, when it comes to wearing the pants, Verakova, perhaps best known for her SI Swimsuit cover, tucked almost as much cake in her jeans for modelling last year as did her new hubby, who pocketed $4.75 million with the Rangers and Oilers.

"I told Veronica I don't want to get in the way of her career because I would feel funny if she was to do the same with my career," he said. "That's the respect we have.

"We know how important both our careers are. Her career is pretty much set. If I'm in Edmonton, I'm not going to lie, our personal life and our marriage is going to be greatly changed."

Barry said Nedved's decision about where to play will be based on the best hockey fit. That's true, but it's obviously only half of the story. Verakova is the significant other half.

Her base is New York. That's where the work is. That's where most of her clients are. It's where the buzz and the big money in the posing biz is. What Verakova and Nedved are discussing now is how to mix marriage and careers outside the Big Apple.

IF HE WAS SINGLE ...

"If I was single, this decision would be very easy," said Nedved, who had 15 points in 16 games with the Oilers, a stretch in which the team went 9-2-2-3. "It wouldn't be so difficult.

"I respect the marriage we have. I'm not going to say 'That's too bad. I'm just going to do what I feel like doing,' and hope it works out. Ultimately, you make the decision together."

Barry said Monday the Rangers aren't on Nedved's shortlist, although he isn't saying who is. The couple are contemplating possibilities - making it work in Edmonton is one of them.

"I have to get some feedback from Veronica about what the scenario is if I end up in Edmonton," Nedved said. "Veronica is not one of those girls who is for a long-distance relationship. I'd probably take it a little bit better than her. She's not for me living in Edmonton while she's living in New York."

Nedved isn't talking through his hat when he says Edmonton is at the top of his list. He isn't paying lip-service to Oilers fans to jack up the price with GM Kevin Lowe. For one thing, the market has been set. For another, Nedved isn't a liar.

"I don't think it's impossible," Nedved said of making their schedule work here. "We've had those kinds of discussions, but I'm not going to be telling her what to do.

"I want to feel she understands. For her to say, 'Maybe it's not the best decision for us, but it is for your career. Go, and we'll work it out.' If I have that sense, it makes my decision a lot easier."

With Barry and the Oilers easing into negotiations, Nedved knows he has to make a call soon. He isn't about to get the contract he wants from Lowe and then say, 'Sorry, I changed my mind.'

"I wouldn't be mad at Kevin if he signed somebody else," Nedved said. "That's a reality of the business. I hope if that was happening he'd let us know and we could make a decision. I also hope it doesn't happen because I don't want to rush into anything.

"If I start feeling I have to make a quick decision or that there is some kind of deadline, I would rather make no decision than make a bad one."