With the NHL lockout dragging on, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby indicated Thursday that he was going to start looking a little harder at playing options in Europe, according to a report by Chris Johnston with The Montreal Gazette.

Among 18 players on hand in a bargaining session during which the NHL Player's Association had three proposals dismissed by the league, Crosby's frustration led to him saying Europe was becoming a more serious playing consideration.

"A little harder, yeah," Crosby said of looking at Europe in the report. "I think that's something that everyone's got to figure out. You try to figure out where things stand and I don't think they're in a great spot right now.

"Today wasn't really a step in the right direction if that's what we're trying to do."

The lockout, which went into effect on Sept. 16, has already led to the cancellation of regular season games through Oct. 24. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday that in order for a complete season to be played, the two sides would have to come to an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement by Oct. 25.