"With my age, you want to keep playing," St. Louis told the Times. "I don't want to take a year off. If the NHL wants to shut us down, we'll go play somewhere else."
The veteran winger has been a strong voice in the Bolts' locker room and a role model for young star player Steven Stamkos, who is also looking to keep playing during a potential work stoppage.
"Definitely thought about it if there is an extended lockout," Stamkos told the Times via text message about the possibility of playing in Europe.
St. Louis remains positive about reaching an agreement with the NHL before the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on Sept. 15.
However, the forward, who played in Switzerland during the 2004-05 lockout, expects to be playing overseas by mid October if both sides can’t settle on a new CBA.
"If it gets to October, it usually means (a lockout) will go longer," St. Louis said. "You have to be patient before you go to Europe, but it's definitely an option guys will look into."
In 77 games with the Lightning last season, St. Louis posted 25 goals and 49 assists for 74 points.
