Lockout might eventually push Stamkos to Europe

You’d think Steven Stamkos would have pretty much had his choice of European clubs had he decided to sign in the early days of the lockout. But that wasn’t his plan.

“I’d have to agree with Sid(ney Crosby) there,” Stamkos told ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun. “That was the rationale early on when I sat down with [agents] Donnie [Meehan] and Mark [Guy]. ‘Let’s wait this out. Let’s be optimistic that we get something done here and salvage some of the season. So let’s stay in shape here, work out and stay informed and go from there.’”

Still, the NHL and union’s recent meetings with federal mediators weren’t encouraging and there’s renewed talk about the possibility of Crosby heading to Europe.

Stamkos still hopes there will be a 2012-13 campaign, but he’d “definitely have to look at getting at least one to two months’ worth of competitive games in.”

For now, Stamkos is still focused on his workouts and adapting to this new experience. It’s been nearly eight months since his last game.

“Eight months without a competitive game? That’s never happened to me,” Stamkos said. “Hopefully we get something done.”