ELMONT, NY — New York Islanders defenseman Alex Romanov requires surgery on his right shoulder and will be out for five to six months, as confirmed by the team on Sunday before their game against the Seattle Kraken at UBS Arena.
Romanov incurred the injury in the final minute of Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars when he was hit into the boards from behind by forward Mikko Rantanen.
“He’s not happy,” head coach Patrick Roy commented on Romanov. “We didn’t agree with the league’s view on the hit. But we have to move forward. A player like him is irreplaceable, but we hope others will step up.”
Rantanen faced no punishment for the hit on Romanov but was suspended for one game after a boarding penalty on Calgary Flames forward Matt Coronato on Saturday night, marking his second severe hit in three games.
Romanov’s expected return aligns with the end of the regular season, representing the best-case scenario.
“When the play occurred, I didn’t have the best vantage point, but when I saw him fall, I feared a more severe injury,” Roy said. “It’s serious because his season is over, but I initially thought it was a broken neck.”
In Romanov’s absence, veteran defenseman Adam Boqvist will join the lineup. He has played in eight games this season.
“Hopefully [Boqvist] will continue his strong play,” Roy stated. “This is an opportunity for him, and he must seize it.”
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Just before face-off on Sunday, the Islanders announced veteran center Jean-Gabriel Pageau is out “week-to-week” due to an upper-body injury.
The timing of the 33-year-old’s injury is uncertain. He played 15:58 during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to the St. Louis Blues without apparent issue.
Pageau has six goals and six assists in 22 games this season, continuing his essential role as a face-off specialist and penalty-killer.
Roy moved rookie center Calum Ritchie from the fourth line to Pageau’s third-line spot, shifted Casey Cizikas from wing to center, and included Max Tsyplakov to complete the line.
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