Alexander Romanov, Islanders Defenseman, Out with Injury
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 reported last Sunday.
Romanov’s injury, 25, occurred on Tuesday in Dallas during the last minute of regulation time. He was hit by Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen.
Romanov, who needed help to get off the track, was placed on the injured reserve 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
Islanders coach Patrick Roy expressed his feelings before the 1-0 shootout victory against the Seattle Kraken. “We have to move on. We can’t replace a player like him,” he added.Coach Roy commented that the team will rely on Adam Boqvist and Marshall Warren to cover Romanov’s position, known for his speed. “We expect the players who come in to adapt and for Boqvist to play as he has been doing,” Roy said about his defense, which has been reinforced by the outstanding 18-year-old rookie, Matthew Schaefer.
Rantanen received a five-minute major penalty for roughing and a misconduct penalty, but was not additionally sanctioned by the league for the hit on Romanov. The previous Sunday, he had been suspended for one game following a hit on Calgary’s Matt Coronato during Saturday’s game.
Roy was furious about Rantanen’s hit on Romanov and yelled at the Dallas player as he headed to the locker room through a tunnel between the benches.
Stars coach Glen Gulutzan defended his player, as he believed 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.
