Isles’ Romanov Undergoes Surgery Expected to Miss 5-6 Months of Action
Alexander Romanov, defenseman for the New York Islanders, will be sidelined for five to six months following shoulder surgery. The injury occurred during a game against the Dallas Stars when he was hit from behind by forward Mikko Rantanen.
Incident Overview
The injury took place in the final minute of regulation in Dallas. Romanov, 25, had to be assisted off the ice after the hit. He was placed on injured reserve immediately following the incident.
Surgery and Recovery Timeline
Romanov underwent surgery on his right shoulder. His projected recovery time is between five to six months, severely affecting the Islanders’ defensive lineup.
Team Impact
- Romanov has one assist in 15 games this season.
- He signed an eight-year, $50 million contract last summer.
- Coach Patrick Roy emphasized the difficulty of replacing a player like Romanov.
Replacement Players
In Romanov’s absence, the Islanders will look to Adam Boqvist and Marshall Warren to fill the void. The team is also optimistic about the contributions from rookie standout Matthew Schaefer.
Controversy Surrounding the Hit
The hit by Rantanen resulted in a five-minute boarding penalty and a game misconduct. However, he faced no further disciplinary action from the league. Rantanen had received a one-game suspension earlier for a separate incident.
Roy expressed his anger over the hit as Rantanen left the ice, while Stars coach Glen Gulutzan defended Rantanen, claiming that an earlier play contributed to the incident.
Upcoming Games
As the team adjusts to Romanov’s absence, the Islanders continue to focus on maintaining performance in their upcoming matchups.
