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At least the Predators won’t be bolting to Europe in case there’s a lockout

Nashville Predators v Phoenix Coyotes - Game Five

GLENDALE, AZ - MAY 07: (L-R) Goaltender Pekka Rinne #35, Shea Weber #6 and Paul Gaustad #28 of the Nashville Predators lean on the bench during a break from Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Phoenix Coyotes during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Jobing.com Arena on May 7, 2012 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Predators 2-1 to win the series 4 games to 1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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There’s been some talk about what players might end up doing in case there’s a long lockout. Playing in Europe, aside from Sweden, is a tantalizing option for many players, but for many of the Nashville Predators it’s not looking like a popular move.

Jeremy Gover at Cellblock 303 heard from a few Predators players and it’s shaping up that going to the AHL or just sitting at home makes for a better option for them.

Defenseman Kevin Klein says sticking together in the offseason, even one extended by a work stoppage, helps the team in the long run.

“I’m sure there will be lots of guys who don’t go to Europe,” Klein said. “I would imagine guys will just stay around here. If you’ve got a core group that you can play hard with and train hard with, you won’t lose too much of a step.”

When you think about it, it makes sense especially when playing across the pond is more of a solution in case the lockout threatens a season being played at all. Most people on both sides aren’t anticipating that happening, thankfully, but you wonder if opinions will change should things drag into 2013.