New York Islanders Defender Out Long Term

New York Islanders Defenceman Alexander Romanov Out After Shoulder Injury

Romanov was injured after a hard hit by Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen. The Russian blueliner was boarded by Rantanen in the final minute of the Isles’ 3-2 victory over the Stars on Tuesday night. Rantanen received a major penalty and a game misconduct. The injury drew the ire of Islanders’ head coach Patrick Roy.

Romanov has one assist in 15 games so far this season for the Islanders. The 25-year-old has played for the Montreal Canadiens and the Islanders across his six-year NHL career. He’s averaging 19 minutes, 27 seconds of ice time so far this campaign. The Moscow native has a Corsi for of 40.4 and a relative Corsi of -13.1.

Romanov has 17 goals and 67 assists for 84 points in 369 career games. Montreal originally drafted him in the second round, 38th overall, in the 2018 NHL Draft. However, he was traded in July 2022.

The veteran defender signed an eight-year deal worth $50 million last summer. Romanov figures to play a large role on the Islanders’ squad that has made significant improvements this season.

What It Means

The injury is a big loss for an Islanders team that sits in third place in the Metropolitan Division. Top overall pick Matthew Schaefer has been a revelation on the blueliner for the Islanders.

Roy said that Adam Boqvist and Marshall Warren will be relied on while Romanov is out. New York had a great road trip with wins in six of the seven games away from home.

Rantanen did escape punishment for the Romanov hit. However, he did get an automatic suspension for another match penalty on Saturday night against Matthew Coronato of the Calgary Flames.