Islanders Bits: With Visnovsky, it's not you, it's the principle of the thing

If you're through digesting the Lubomir Visnovsky grievance news, how you read it comes down to what you believe, probably. If the grievance was indeed filed last month, before free agency began, then you might buy the explanation from Visnovsky's agent Neil Sheehy:

"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."

A guy with (he thought) a no-trade clause, testing his right to remain where he thought he'd be for the rest of his contract? Sure, it's plausible.

On the other hand, if you think it's another case of the Islanders scorned (not that the Ducks are in much better shape, but home is home...), then it's a guy doing everything he can to avoid becoming a walk-year rental on a team that hasn't seen the playoffs since 2007. Arbitration will be the ultimate, well, arbiter, but it's still a good bet Visnovsky starts the season as an Islander. Whenver that season starts.

Other news and readable links to chew:

More on that story and Sheehy quotes from Bret Cyrgalis in the Post.

Along with Visnovsky angst (and in that same Visnovsky thread) came further Isles fan mourning as the Rangers landed Rick Nash. I don't think the deal is as clear of a win as many of you. Here's Blueshirt Banter reacting (search: George). Look for more takes on the Nash trade (including from my biased lens) at the SB Nation hub.

Are Kabanov's boys getting too rough with the Cup?

General Hockey

• Relatives of Jessica Redfield (Jessica Ghawi), the aspiring hockey journalist killed in the Aurora, Colo., massacre, have set up a scholarship fund in her name.
• Patrick Burke remembers Ghawi.
• The Oilers signed Nail Yakupov. Does that mean their summer work is done?
• Canucks GM Mike Gillis thinks the Predators would match any Shea Weber offer sheet.
• The Panthers have avoided arbitration with Kris Versteeg. They really like four-year deals there, and this one is a Parenteau Plus.
• Ready for NHL 13, which you'll be playing to replace the void initiated by the lockout?
• Speaking of lockouts, here's more on how the NHLPA views the NHL's initial CBA proposal.
• Wow is Dan Carcillo ... something. I mean, really something. I wonder why he'd rip Peter Laviollette?