Petr Sykora, who is still a free agent and can not sign with any NHL team until the lockout ends, told Tom Gulitti of Fire and Ice that he hopes to remain with the Devils.

Sykora told Gulitti that he had offers from Czech Republic and elsewhere in Europe but without a NHL contract, "he would likely have to sign a contract that would keep him there for the full season – rather than one with an out for him to return to the NHL," writes Gulitti.

Sykora said, "I want to start playing before Christmas. I have offers where I can play. It's basically up to me when I decide to start playing. I'm not going to wait until January because the seasons in Europe they basically get done in March."

Gulitti writes that Sykora had other NHL teams interest in him but his first choice is to remain with the Devils.

Sykora told Gulitti, "There were some things going on, but I really wanted to be with the Devils again. I kind of feel like I belong here."

Gulitti notes that Sykora has been working out and skating with a team in his native Czech Republic.