Lubomir Visnovsky wants to void trade to Islanders

Lubomir Visnovsky, acquired by the Islanders on draft night a little more than a month ago, has filed a grievance through the NHL Players' Association to void the trade from the Ducks, contending that his no-trade clause is still valid and Anaheim never got his permission to make the deal.

Should he win his grievance, the trade that sent him to the Islanders for a 2013 second-round pick would be rescinded, though Visnovsky's agent told Newsday that the 35-year-old defenseman has no issues with the Isles.

"[General manager Garth Snow] has been great to him, they've had good conversations and Lubo likes what he's heard about how they want to use him," Neil Sheehy, Visnovsky's agent, said. "But this has really nothing to do with the Islanders. For Lubo, this is about establishing what's right and whether a team has the right to move him in the manner that they did."

Visnovsky signed a five-year, $28-million contract with the Oilers in 2008 and waived his no-trade clause to allow a deal to the Ducks at the 2009-10 trade deadline. Visnovsky contends the Ducks needed his approval, in the form of a 10-team list to which he would allow a trade, this summer. That was never asked for before the June 22 deal.

No arbitration date has been set. The players association, currently in the thick of labor negotiations with the NHL, reportedly filed a grievance on Visnovsky's behalf June 30.

The Islanders had no comment on the matter. They are not involved in the grievance, though they would be greatly affected by the outcome if Visnovsky wins and the deal is voided.

They could still try to make a deal with the Ducks for Visnovsky, who has told friends he would still be open to playing for the Islanders even if he wins his case.

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"He's been very thankful for the attention he's received from the Islanders. He's impressed," Sheehy said. "This is not a New York Islanders issue."