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, when he was hit from behind by 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.
The coach Roy also added that the team will have to move on and that it is not possible to replace a player like Romanov.He is not happy.
Patrick Roy, Islanders coach
The Islanders’ defense corps has also been bolstered by 18-year-old rookie Matthew Schaefer. Rantanen received a five-minute penalty for the play and was ejected from the game, but he did not receive any additional suspension from the league for the foul on Romanov. Previously, on Sunday, he was suspended for one game after a play against Matt Coronato of Calgary during Saturday’s game. Roy was furious after Rantanen’s play against Romanov and shouted 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, which caused 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.We hope the players who come in fit in and that Boqvist plays as he has been doing.
Patrick Roy, Islanders coach
