Even with the NHL and NHLPA returning to the collective bargaining table on Tuesday, some players are lining up jobs overseas if there is a lockout.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin is talking to KHL teams in Moscow and Magnitogorsk about playing on a week-by-week agreement in the event of a lockout on Sept. 15.
In Tampa Bay, two of the top forwards on the Lightning have also publically stated that they would keep playing if the NHL barred the players.
"With my age, you want to keep playing," 37-year-old Martin St. Louis told the Tampa Bay Times. "I don't want to take a year off. If the NHL wants to shut us down, we'll go play somewhere else.
"You have to be patient before you go to Europe, but it's definitely an option guys will look into."
Steven Stamkos agreed with his teammate.
"Definitely thought about it if there is an extended lockout," Stamkos told the Times in a text message.
During the lockout that saw the entire 2004-05 season cancelled, a large number of NHLer's accepted contracts to play in Europe and returned the following season when the new CBA was signed.
