via Reuters at the Globe and Mail,

Nashville Predators winger Sergei Kostitsyn, who joined Russian club Avangard Omsk during a work stoppage in the National Hockey League (NHL), hopes the lockout will lead to the cancellation of the entire season.

“Let’s put it this way – it would be better (for the players) if the lockout continues,” Kostitsyn was quoted as saying by Russian daily Sport-Express on Monday.

“Players want a definite answer. If the NHL season is lost – let it be that way. I would then play in Russia for the whole season.”...

Kostitsyn, 25, who joined the Predators from the Montreal Canadiens in June 2010, also said he hated life in North America and labelled Columbus “the gloomiest” city in the States.

“I couldn’t get used to (American) mentality. They are totally different people from us,” said the Belarussian, who was twice suspended by the Canadiens in 2009 after failing to report to their minor league team in Hamilton.