Visnovsky signs contract extension with Islanders

The 36-year-old defenseman would have become an unrestricted free agent this summer, after concluding a five-year, $28 million contract. Some sources overseas indicated he would be a subject of trade ahead of the April 3 transfer deadline.

Lubomir Visnovsky was the only player with an NHL contract who did not immediately join his organization after the NHL lockout ended in January. Instead, he sought to stay in KHL with HC SLOVAN Bratislava for which he had started in 32 games and had scored 6 goals and 10 assists. He finally joined the Islanders organization three weeks into the season.

Since playing for the Long Island-based team, Visnovsky has contributed to stabilize the team’s young defense and helped its power play. He was acquired by the Islanders last June in a trade with Anaheim. He has three goals and six assists in 22 games this season, his 12th in the NHL.

Originally a fourth-round pick by Los Angeles Kings in 2000, Visnovsky has 120 goals and 339 assists in 793 career games with the Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks and Islanders.

The news about the contract extension saddened many fans in Bratislava and Slovakia who had believed Lubo would return in summer to Bratislava to continue his career with the team from which he had embarked on the professional world hockey scene.