Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin confirmed Friday he would play in the Kontinental Hockey League should there be an NHL lockout.

"No one wants to be in a lockout, but if there is I'm going to play in the KHL," the winger said after an informal skate with about 10 teammates at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va.

"It's not a surprise. I will go."

The NHL's current bargaining agreement expires Sept. 15 and it is expected the players will be locked out if there is no new labour deal before then.

NHL players are scheduled to meet in New York on Tuesday to discuss their strategy, but Ovechkin said he won't attend.