If the National Hockey League doesn't play this year, HC Davos is going to have one heck of a team. The Swiss Elite League team has already signed Boston Bruins star Joe Thornton, an NHL all-star. If the NHL is a no-go come Sept. 16, the expected day a work stoppage would occur, he'll be joined by 20-year-old Columbus Blue Jacket Rick Nash, who last season tied for the league lead in goal-scoring.

It will make quite a local connection. Thornton is from St. Thomas and Nash played two years for the Ontario Hockey League London Knights.

It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that the young stars in the NHL feel anxious about spending time away from the ice.

NHL team owners and the National Hockey League Players' Association have tried to forge a new collective bargaining agreement but are nowhere near a solution. The current agreement expires Sept. 15. The main stumbling block is the owners' insistence on "cost certainty." The NHLPA says that means a hard salary cap and wants no part of it.

Most hockey observers have indicated the issue can't be resolved given current positions of both parties. It leads observers to believe a work stoppage will be lengthy, some believing the entire season may be wiped out.

"It's a question of being game ready," said Gordon Kirke, Nash's legal counsel. Nash is also represented by agents Joe Resnick and Brad Robins. "Whatever happens, we want him game ready."

Kirke indicated while details of a contract were ready, Nash wouldn't sign until Sept. 16.

The contract would allow him to return to the Columbus Blue Jackets whenever the NHL season resumed.

"You know Rick. You know it was a difficult decision only because of the respect he has for Doug (MacLean, president and general manager of the Blue Jackets) and the organization," said Kirke.

While money and the owners' inability to control their own spending is at the root of this labour dispute, for the most part money is not the primary concern when players opt to head for Europe. Most players are looking for something to do and to stay in shape.

Don't expect a huge exodus of players to follow those who have already decided to go to Europe. The Swiss Elite League is one of the best league's in Europe and Davos is a signature franchise. Not all franchises will be able to pay NHL players even at reduced rates and, should the NHL settle its labour problems after a lockout, many European teams would be forced to replace the players who return to the NHL.

"There is no question that come Sept. 15, I want to put on my Blue Jackets sweater and help my team compete for a playoff spot," Nash said. "I would hate to lose a season, especially in a market like Columbus with such amazing fans.

"With that said, I am a young hockey player and I want to make sure that I am always developing my skills. If I can't play in Columbus, then I will choose the next best alternative in order to be the best player I can be."

That statement was probably scripted by Nash's handlers but you can't knock the sentiment. Players like Nash and Thornton want to play. If they get the opportunity, why shouldn't they?

"He is very loyal to the Columbus organization and its fans and that's where he would prefer to be," said Kirke. "He's doing some work for Columbus with season ticket-holders (today). But he understands the value of playing elite hockey to continue his growth as a player in the event of a labour stoppage."

Of course, there was always the hope that if a work stoppage happened, Nash might consider coming back to the Knights. Despite being gone for two years, he would still be eligible as an over-age player. The Knights have kept his name on their protected list.

Even in this age of crazy labour relations, that was a long shot.

Then again, who would have thought Nash and Thornton would be playing for Davos?