The last time the NHL locked out its players eight years ago Devils right winger David Clarkson was a 20-year-old prospect about to play in the American Hockey League.



Concerned that AHL jobs would be taken by unemployed NHL players during that 2004-05 lockout, Clarkson instead chose to go back to his junior team where he rejoined coach Pete DeBoer in Kitchener for what proved to be a successful season in the Ontario Hockey League.



Clarkson's decision is not as easy this time around. As he waits for a break in the current NHL labor dispute, the 30-goal scorer is considering playing in Europe.

"I have considered it. I've been tossing it around in my head and with my family. It's definitely an option," Clarkson said today. "In the near future I'm going to have to decide. Maybe by the end of the week I'll make a decision.



"My agents called me with different things. If I decide to go I'd have to sit down with my wife. I don't know exactly where. But if this goes on, I have to play. I'd have to go to Europe to play."



Ilya Kovalchuk is playing for SKA St. Petersburg in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League and had an assist on Sunday in a game against Alex Ovechkin and Dynamo Moscow. Marek Zidlicky is playing for Jaromir Jagr's Kladno team in the Czech Republic.



"I think some guys are going to wait," Clarkson said. "Marty (Brodeur) said, 'If we start missing games…' It's a tough decision."



For now, Clarkson is in Toronto.



"I'm lucky to be in a city like Toronto and have the ice," Clarkson said. "(In New Jersey) guys have rented ice. Here there are lots of opportunities to skate. Last week there were 40 guys on two different ice surfaces."



He skated with Gary Roberts a week and a half ago. Stephen Stamkos and Rob Cammalleri are among those skating in Toronto.

"It's weird still being home at this time, but I'm getting to do a lot with my daughter," Clarkson said. "Everybody misses the game. It's just that we believe we want a fair deal.



"Everybody wants to get back and play, but some things have to change a bit."



By the end of this week, he will decide whether this lockout means a trip to Europe rather than a trip back to junior hockey.