Visnovsky has 6 goals, 10 assists in 32 games for HC Slovan of the KHL. (Getty Images) |
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Just when you thought the NHL-KHL flap was finished when Ilya Kovalchuk decided to come back to North America after the KHL All-Star Game, the story of Lubomir Visnovsky brings it back to life.
The defenseman who was traded to the Islanders before he sought to have the trade nullified, declared his intentions after the new CBA deal was announced that he wanted to remain in the KHL. In making the announcement, he cited personal and family reasons.
The problem there is the same one that Kovalchuk came across, that he has a valid NHL contract already and that the NHL and KHL have agreed to honor each other's contracts, thus meaning that Visnovsky is supposed to return to North America and begin his time with the Islanders.
Yet, Visnovsky still isn't on board.
@tsnbobmckenzie Visnovsky is on his way - not to NHL - but to Prague to play tmrw for Slovan Bratislava in KHL. Yes, he is on the bus.
— Roman Jedlicka (@jedli) January 14, 2013
To illustrate that point, here's a picture of Visnovsky with his teammates posted to the HC Slovan Facebook page.
Getting Visnovsky to come back to North America and play for the Islanders is like trying to give a child a bath: If they know, they'll run around the house and hide so they can keep playing elsewhere.
The KHL has said that it will not allow Visnovsky to play because of the agreement with the NHL, so he might just be travelling with his Slovan teammates for naught at this point. That would be unless the Islanders grant Visnovsky permission to stay, and that seems about as likely as the Islanders bringing back the Fisherman jerseys.
The Islanders just can't catch a break. Their tri-state neighbors in New Jersey were able to get their player back from the KHL, but as yet the Isles can't do the same.
Visnovsky was traded to the Islanders at the draft last summer with the Isles sending a second-round pick to Anaheim in exchange for the defenseman. Last season in Anaheim he had six goals with 21 assists but just two seasons ago he had 18 goals to go with 50 assists.
The Islanders were counting on him in the final year of his contract to help produce some offense from the blue line. At this point, given his apparent disdain for the franchise, you have to wonder even if/when he suits up for them how well he'll actually play.
Previously from Eye on Hockey
Visnovsky wants to stay in KHL
Visnovsky OK after crashing Ferrari
Visnovsky files grievance to void trade
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