Romanov Undergoes Shoulder Surgery, Sidelined 5-6 Months for Islanders
In a significant blow to the New York Islanders, defenseman Alexander Romanov underwent shoulder surgery and is expected to miss 5-6 months of action. This announcement was made by the team on Sunday.
Injury Details
The injury occurred during a match against the Dallas Stars on November 18. Romanov was boarded by Stars forward Mikko Rantanen late in the game, specifically at 19:32 of the third period. Rantanen received a game misconduct for his actions.
Coach’s Comments
Islanders coach Patrick Roy expressed concern over losing Romanov, stating, “He’s not happy; there’s no doubt about it.” Coach Roy emphasized that replacing a player of Romanov’s caliber is challenging, but he hopes that other players will step up. Notably, Adam Boqvist has been mentioned as a potential to fill the gap.
Player Statistics
This season, Romanov recorded one assist and blocked 31 shots over 15 games. He averaged 19:27 minutes on the ice before being placed on injured reserve.
Reactions and Additional Injuries
Rantanen expressed regret about the unfortunate incident, stating, “I never meant to do that… It was an unfortunate moment.” His actions also led to a one-game suspension following another misconduct incident against Matt Coronato.
- Alexander Romanov: Shoulder surgery, sidelined for 5-6 months
- Mikko Rantanen: Boarded Romanov, received a game misconduct
- Patrick Roy: Comments on the impact of the injury
- Romanov’s Stats: 1 assist, 31 blocked shots in 15 games
In addition to Romanov’s injury, the Islanders reported that Jean-Gabriel Pageau is week to week with an upper-body injury. Pageau played 15:58 in a recent match against the St. Louis Blues and has 12 points this season, including six goals and six assists.
As the team navigates this challenging period, it will be crucial for remaining players to step up and maintain performance levels in Romanov’s absence.
