The New York Islanders announced on Sunday that defenseman Alexander Romanov underwent shoulder surgery and is expected to be sidelined for approximately 5 to 6 months. The injury occurred late in the game against the Dallas Stars on November 18, when Romanov was boarded by Stars forward Mikko Rantanen. Rantanen received a game misconduct for the incident, which left Romanov injured.
Islanders coach Patrick Roy acknowledged Romanov’s frustration over the situation but emphasized the need for the team to adapt in his absence. “You don’t replace a player like him. You hope that the guys coming in will fit in,” Roy said, highlighting Adam Boqvist as a player who will need to step up and take advantage of this opportunity. The coach also expressed confidence in Marshall Warren, who has performed well and could fill in if necessary.
In his limited participation this season, Romanov recorded one assist, 31 hits, and 31 blocked shots over 15 games, averaging nearly 20 minutes of ice time. Following the injury, he was placed on injured reserve.
Rantanen expressed regret for the incident, stating, “Obviously, I never meant to do that… Unfortunate moment, but I never really meant to do it. Hopefully he’s not too bad.” He faced a one-game suspension following another game misconduct for boarding during a recent match against the Calgary Flames.
Additionally, Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau was reported to be week to week with an upper-body injury, having logged nearly 16 minutes of ice time in a game against the St. Louis Blues. Pageau has contributed 12 points in 22 games this season.
Despite these setbacks, the Islanders are enjoying a positive run, having won seven of their last nine games and currently sitting in second place in the Metropolitan Division. The team faces a big challenge ahead, but there remains optimism as they look to maintain their momentum in the competitive NHL landscape.