The NHL lockout is forcing some players to look overseas for work while the NHLPA and owners attempt to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.
On Wednesday, the league cancelled all September preseason games. Players aren't going to sit around much longer waiting and hoping for a resolution.
Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews is one of those players who is looking for work overseas -- and says that he'll be playing hockey "one way or another."
"One way or another I'll be playing hockey. Hopefully it's here," Jonathan Toews said. "But guys are showing right now (that) we're feeling very strong about what we've come up with, what we presented to the league. Our sacrifices have been substantial, our attempts to be reasonable and come up with something that makes sense. If they can't wrap their heads around it, we need to find jobs to play hockey. Nobody blames those (players) for looking for opportunities right now. It's what everyone should be thinking."
League owners will certainly be unhappy about their prized players playing in lesser leagues overseas, but there's little they can do about it while the league is locked out.
As CSN Chicago points out, it's not just European and Russian players looking to play overseas, but American players are now looking to do that as well. Logan Couture and Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks are headed to play in the Swiss League, just like New York Rangers forward Rick Nash.
Hopefully, a resolution comes sooner rather than later.
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