Alexei Kovalev doesn't think the NHL lockout will end soon, so he's decided to do something about it.

The gifted winger signed with Russia's AK Bars Kazan, a team already loaded with NHL stars.

"There doesn't seem to be any reason to believe the lockout will end so he just decided he wanted to play some hockey," Kovalev's agent Scott Greenspun said Monday from New York.

Unrestricted free agent Alexei Kovalev doesn't see a quick end to the NHL lockout. (CP Photo)

"It's a unique opportunity for him to go play in his native Russia at the peak of his career."

Kovalev, an unrestricted free agent in the NHL, totaled 45 points in 78 games with the Rangers and Montreal last year. While he struggled during the regular season, Kovalev flourished in the playoffs, scoring six goals and four assists in 11 games.

His efforts helped lead Montreal to an upset win over the Boston Bruins in the first round.

Playing overseas during an NHL stoppage is nothing new to the 31-year-old. He played for Lada Togliatti of the Russian league during the last lockout in 1994-95.

Kovalev joins Tampa Bay Lightning centre Vincent Lecavalier, who signed with Kazan last Thursday. The team is expected to land Lecavalier's teammate and friend Brad Richards soon.

Lecavalier will report to Kazan on Nov. 23.

Owned by a wealthy oil company, Kazan has already signed players like star winger Ilya Kovalchuk of the Atlanta Thrashers, Nik Antropov of the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers defenceman Darius Kasparaitis, Ruslan Salei of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Fred Brathwaite of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Denis Arkhipov of the Predators and Alexei Morozov of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

with files from Canadian Press