Sergei Kostitsyn reportedly rips North America, hopes lockout cancels season

Sergei Kostitsyn reportedly hopes NHL lockout will continue. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Predators winger Sergei Kostitsyn hopes the current NHL lockout will eventually lead to the cancellation of the entire season, according to a quote in the Russian Sport-Express via the Globe & Mail.

“Let’s put it this way – it would be better (for the players) if the lockout continues,” Kostitsyn was quoted as saying 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.”

The NHL has already postponed a total of 135 games.

Kostitsyn, who has played for the Predators since 2010 after  joining the team from the Canadiens, reportedly said he hated life in North America and called Columbus "the gloomiest" city in the United 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.

The Tennessean's Josh Cooper points out that Kostitsyn's comments are odd considering his popularity in Nashville.

Interestingly, Kostitsyn is a pretty popular player with the Predators. Maybe he was referring to his time in Montreal where he wasn’t quite received as well. He signed a two-year, $6 million contract in the offseason, so when the lockout ends, odds are he will be back in Nashville.