Visnovsky was traded to the Islanders from the Anaheim Ducks in off-season transactions.
The conflict comes from the fact that Visnovsky has not yet reported to camp. He was playing in the KHL, but that league did not renew his contract to extend through the end of this season. His desire was to remain in Slovakia, his native country where he played for HC Slovan Bratislava. The club wanted and requested that Visnovsky stay in the KHL, but no NHL player under contract is permitted to play for the KHL this year once the labor dispute ended.
43 players went to play in the KHL during the labor dispute with the NHLPA and NHL, and 42 have returned to their NHL teams. Only Visnovsky is resolved to stay in Slovakia and wants to continue playing.
The KHL has refused to employ Visnovsky and there are ongoing legal battles happening regarding this situation.
The following is part of the statement released by the KHL.
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.His agent reported that Visnovsky wanted to attend camp and intended to once he took care of some personal issues.
The New York club has signed Brian Strait off waivers from Pittsburgh to bring them to the minimum 23-man roster needed by 5:00 today.
