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Add Stamkos and St. Louis to list of players considering Europe in case of lockout

Tampa Bay Lightning v New Jersey Devils

NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 26: Martin St. Louis #26 (L)of the Tampa Bay Lightning scores at 6:39 of the second period against the New Jersey Devils and is joined by Steven Stamkos #91 (R) at the Prudential Center on February 26, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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We’ve heard recently from Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin when it comes to making alternative plans in case a lockout interferes with the season, and now Tampa Bay’s biggest stars are joining the party.

Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis both tell Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times that they too will be considering playing in Europe should a work stoppage get in the way of the season starting. St. Louis says where he’s at in his career makes a huge difference in his decision-making process.

“With my age, you want to keep playing,” the 37-year-old said Monday. “I don’t want to take a year off. If the NHL wants to shut us down, we’ll go play somewhere else.”

St. Louis played in Switzerland during the lockout that killed the 2004-05 season, a year in which the Lightning would’ve been defending the Stanley Cup. St. Louis tells Cristodero if the lockout is still raging in October, we’ll start seeing players head across the pond.

As for Stamkos, he’s not quite as definitive as his teammate saying he’s thought about heading to Europe if things get out of hand here.