New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov will be out of action for between five and six months due to surgery on his right shoulder, the team announced on Sunday.
Romanov’s injury, 25, occurred on Tuesday in Dallas during the last minute of regulation time, after receiving a hit from behind by Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen.
Romanov, who had to be helped off the ice, was placed on the injured list on Wednesday. So far this season, he has one assist in 15 games. Last summer he signed an eight-year, $50 million contract.
He is not happy.
Patrick Roy, Islanders coach
Roy also added that the team will have to move forward. “We can’t replace a player like him.”El defensa de los Islanders de Nueva York, Alexander Romanov, necesitó someterse a una cirugía de hombro tras este golpe de Mikko Rantanen de Dallas y estará fuera de acción entre cinco y seis meses. Foto: AP Photo/Gareth PattersonRoy indicated that the team will rely on Adam Boqvist and Marshall Warren to cover for Romanov, known for his speed.
Rantanen received a five-minute major penalty for roughing and a misconduct penalty, but did not receive any additional suspension from the league for the hit on Romanov. Previously, on Sunday, he was suspended for one game following a hit on Calgary’s Matt Coronato during Saturday’s game.
Roy expressed his fury after Rantanen’s hit on Romanov and yelled at the Dallas player as he headed to the locker room through a tunnel between the benches.
The Stars coach, Glen Gulutzan, defended his player, arguing that Rantanen’s skate was grazed by Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield, causing him to raise his arms to maintain balance just before contact with Romanov.
Rantanen stated that he had no intention of injuring Romanov. This is his first full season with Dallas after being traded twice last season.
