Islanders suspend no-show D Visnovsky
The New York Islanders suspended defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky on Friday after he failed to report to the team and signed former Pittsburgh defenseman Brian Strait off waivers.
Visnovsky, 36, has played in the Kontinental Hockey League in his native Russia during the lockout. He was traded to the Islanders from the Anaheim Ducks during the offseason.
Visnovsky had told the Islanders that he wanted to remain in Slovakia to finish the season for his hometown team, but the KHL reportedly declined the request to extend his contract because of an agreement with the NHL that the leagues must honor the other's agreements. He also said his son has a health issue.
The 11-year NHL veteran has played for the Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers and Ducks. He has 117 goals and 450 points in 771 career games.
Strait, 25, has one assist in 12 NHL games with the Penguins in two seasons. In 26 American Hockey League games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season, he had no points.
