Lubomir Visnovsky is currently lacking an NHL contract and is reportedly considering a move to Europe for the start of the 2015-16 season. The 38-year-old defenseman is coming off a two-year, $9.5 million contract with the New York Islanders, but the team has made it known they’re looking toward younger defenseman moving forward. That leaves Visnovsky on the outside and he may start the year in Europe with the hopes of later returning to the NHL.
The report comes from a Slovakian website which details that though Visnovsky is eager to play another year in the NHL, he recognizes he may have to move over to the Czech, Swiss or another league to prove his worth before an NHL team recognizes they need his experience. Google Translate can only do so much with the article, but the rough translation indicates Visnovsky will know his next course of action over the next month or two.
Visnovsky posted 20 points in 53 games last season, but his increasing age is his biggest mark against him. It’s unclear what kind of money he’s requesting, but it’s obvious no one is going to pay the average salary ($4.75 million) he took in last year.
As of right now, it’s difficult to envision any NHL team calling his name, but injuries happen and needs develop during training camp and the regular season. Visnovsky may need to entertain himself for a while over in Europe, but it may be a bit premature to call it a wrap on his NHL career.
