Crosby could play in Europe, says agent

Sidney Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, confirmed his client will consider playing in Europe if there’s an NHL work stoppage.

“If at one point there’s a lockout and the lockout goes long…Sidney wants to pay hockey,” Brisson told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Dave Molinari.

Now, obviously this isn’t the same as, say, Michal Neuvirth mulling a European odyssey. This is the NHL’s biggest star we’re talking about here.

Brisson’s comments come on the heels of Crosby’s Penguins teammate, Evgeni Malkin, suggesting that both of them could be bound for Russia to play in the KHL.

Of course, Malkin also said that Crosby wouldn’t consider that option until after Christmas, at which point the NHL and NHLPA may have already resolved their dispute.

Frankly, I’d be surprised – no, shocked – if we see Crosby skating in the KHL anytime soon. Mostly because I’m a cockeyed optimist who got himself mixed up in the high stakes game of world diplomacy and international intrigue that doesn’t see a lockout going past Christmas, but also because the risk of suffering another serious concussion while playing in Russia – or anywhere in Europe, really – seems like a risk that’s not worth taking.

Not to mention, Crosby doesn’t need the money and it’s not like he has a bunch of friends and family over there.

Pretty cold in Russia, too.

Update: Brisson also told the Chicago Sun-Times that Blackhawks teammates Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews would consider playing in Europe ”under the right circumstances and appropriate time.”