NHL lockout: Jonathan Toews may now head overseas

Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is strongly considering playing overseas following the latest breakdown in talks to end the NHL lockout, Tracey Myers of CSN Chicago reported.

Toews was part of the talks Tuesday and Wednesday, but negotiations broke down Thursday after league commissioner Gary Bettman refuted public statements from NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr that the owners and players were nearing an agreement that would end the work stoppage. Team owners left the negotiating table Thursday.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby recently said he was contemplating playing in Europe, and Toews told Myers that he is "absolutely" considering the same thing, though he doesn't know exactly where he would play.

"It's just sad in so many ways because your whole life you dream of playing in the NHL," he said. "You never dream that politics and things like this would get in the way of you playing and living out your dream. But that's obviously something you have to explore more at this point."