from Brett Cyrgalis of the NY Post,

I am thankful to the New York Islanders for being so good to me. My decision not to play in the NHL is due to family and personal reasons,” Visnovsky said in a statement released by his agent, Neil Sheehy. “I have made no decisions on next season. My focus now is on HC Slovan Bratislava, and enjoying my family in my home country.”

The Isles acknowledged Visnovsky’s decision, but had no comment on the issue last night. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said during the lockout that all existing contracts are expected to be honored once the new collective bargaining agreement is in place. That is expected to happen once the league and the Players’ Association ratify the agreement they reached in principle early Sunday morning.

It is not impossible once a league ruling comes down, Visnovsky will change his mind. He repeatedly has said over the past couple months he has nothing against the Islanders’ organization.

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