New York Islanders Defenseman Injury Update
In a significant blow to their lineup, the New York Islanders will be without defenseman Alexander Romanov for an extended period of 5 to 6 months due to an impending shoulder surgery. This unfortunate development followed a serious incident during a recent game against the Dallas Stars.
Incident Details
With just 27.3 seconds remaining in regulation, Romanov was struck from behind by Stars forward Mikko Rantanen, an action that resulted in a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for Rantanen. Following the hit, Romanov required assistance to leave the ice.
As a precautionary measure, the Islanders officially placed Romanov on injured reserve the following evening.
Injury History
This latest setback continues a troubling trend for the young defenseman, who is no stranger to injuries. Last season, he underwent shoulder surgery that prematurely ended his campaign, and he missed 18 games in the 2024-25 season due to similar issues. Already this season, Romanov has been sidelined for six games with upper-body problems.
Contract and Performance
At just 25 years of age, Romanov had recently signed a lucrative eight-year contract worth $6.25 million per year, a testament to the team’s investment in his potential. Throughout this season, Romanov recorded one assist in 15 appearances while logging an average of 19:27 minutes of ice time, primarily on the third defensive pairing.
Future Outlook
Despite this injury, he is projected to make a full recovery in time for the training camp of the 2026-27 NHL season, which offers some optimism for his future with the team.
