Visnovsky expected to report to Islanders

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Derek

The Islanders received some good news. Lubomir Visnovsky is expected to report to the club. The 36-year old veteran defenseman was acquired at last year’s NHL Draft from Anaheim in exchange for a second round pick.

According to a tweet from Newday’s Arthur Staple, there’s no timetable for his return. This comes a day after the KHL announced that they won’t allow Visnovsky to play in any more games for HC Slovan Bratislava unless the Islanders release him from his contract. A positive for the NHL with the Kontinental Hockey League cooperating under the transfer agreement.

SB Nation’s Matt Brigidi covered the issue in a post yesterday that included a full statement from the KHL. Here’s an excerpt that was posted over on Facebook by the KHL:

Of the 43 players from the NHL who as a result of the lockout signed contracts to play in the KHL Championship, 42 have returned to North America to train for the forthcoming NHL campaign. However, defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky, who spent the lockout at Slovan Bratislava and is currently under contract with the New York Islanders, has announced that he plans to continue playing in the KHL.Mr. Visnovsky and HC Slovan Bratislava have submitted a request to the League asking that the player be permitted to sign a contract with Slovan until the end of the 2012-13 season, citing the player’s complex personal circumstances and his desire to continue his career in his homeland.

The 2012-13 season is covered by the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the KHL and NHL, which contains a clause stating that players under contract with a club from one league cannot fulfill any obligation to a club from the other league during the term of the player’s contract. The KHL has therefore refused permission for Slovan to enter into any further agreement with LubomirVisnovsky until the end of the current season.

In addition, the Memorandum of Understanding made provision for negotiations between the two leagues in the event of such a situation arising. Official representatives appointed by the KHL and NHL are to meet in the very near future to review Lubomir Visnovsky’s case and seek a compromise. In the event of these negotiations failing to produce a positive outcome, the player and the club may, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding, exercise their legal right to apply for the matter to be resolved through arbitration.

 
For the time being, Visnovsky will remain home due to his son’s health issues. European based sports reporter Matias Strozyk reported about yesterday. Hopefully, it’s not too serious.
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About Derek

Derek is a creative writer who enjoys taking photographs, working on poetry, and covering hockey. A free spirit who loves the outdoors, a diverse selection of music, and writing, he's a former St. John's University alumni with a degree in Sports Management. Derek covers the Rangers for Battle of Hudson and is a contributor to The Hockey Writers. His appreciation of art and nature are his true passions.
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