“This isn’t an issue with the (Islanders),” said Visnovsky’s agent Neil Sheehy in a Newsday article. “It’s a matter for the NHLPA/NHL to decide. He has a no-trade clause.”

Visnovsky is set to enter the final year of the contract where he’ll earn $3 million. The case will go to an arbitrator who’ll decide if the Ducks violated the terms of the deal. In the unlikely event that Visnovsky wins, he could still be a Duck. Though you have to wonder if such a scenario played out if the Islanders and Ducks would work something out with Visnovsky. With a cap hit of $5.6 million, the Isles were planning to assume the entire salary to help reach the floor. Most importantly, they’re hoping they added a quality player who can log important minutes on a rebuilding club that might feature two rookie defensemen.

The Islanders currently have anchor Mark Streit, Andrew MacDonald, Travis Hamonic and free agent pickup Matt Carkner as the only NHL defensemen on the roster until the Visnovsky situation is cleared up. He would give them a decent top four while Carkner could play a smaller role like he did in Ottawa, leaving room for prospects Calvin de Haan, Matt Donovan and Aaron Ness to compete for the remaining two spots. Garth Snow has gone on record as saying he hopes to see two kids play for the club this season. It’d be a bit easier for the Isles to ease them in if Visnovsky stays.