New York Islanders Alexander Romanov shoulder surgery five to six months out: Defense core faces major test

The New York Islanders received devastating news on Sunday that defenseman Alexander Romanov underwent shoulder surgery and will miss five to six months, effectively ending his regular season and casting serious doubt on his availability for any potential playoff run. The injury occurred during a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars on November 18, when Romanov was boarded by Stars forward Mikko Rantanen late in the third period.

This timeline means the 25-year-old Russian blueliner won’t return until April or May at the earliest, forcing head coach Patrick Roy and general manager Mathieu Darche to completely restructure their defensive corps on the fly. The loss comes at a particularly challenging moment for an Islanders team that has been one of the NHL’s hottest clubs, winning seven of their last nine games and sitting in second place in the Metropolitan Division.

The collision that changed everything

The play that ended Romanov’s season seemed routine at first glance. With just 28 seconds remaining in regulation and the Islanders protecting a one-goal lead, Romanov retrieved the puck behind his own net. Rantanen, bearing down with speed, delivered a hit that sent Romanov crashing awkwardly into the boards. The defenseman immediately clutched his right shoulder and remained down for several moments before being helped to the locker room.

Rantanen received a game misconduct on the play, though no supplemental discipline followed from the Department of Player Safety. The Stars forward expressed remorse after the game, telling reporters, “Obviously, I never meant to do that. I’ve never done that my whole career. I play hard, but I never try to be dirty on purpose. I think I got clipped a little bit, and then he [fell] forward. Unfortunate moment, but I never really meant to do it. Hopefully he’s not too bad.”

Those hopes proved overly optimistic. While initial fears centered on a potentially catastrophic neck or spinal injury — coach Roy admitted, “When I saw [Romanov] going down, I really thought he had a lot more serious injury” — the shoulder damage was severe enough to require immediate surgical intervention. The Islanders placed Romanov on injured reserve within 24 hours, and further imaging revealed the full extent of the damage.

Timeline and recovery outlook for Alexander Romanov

The five-to-six-month recovery timeline puts Romanov’s potential return squarely in the heart of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, should the Islanders qualify and advance beyond the first round. However, medical professionals caution that returning to contact sport after major shoulder surgery involves significant hurdles. The typical progression includes:

• Months 1-2: Immobilization and passive range of motion exercises to protect the surgical repair
• Months 2-4: Gradual introduction of active movement and strengthening
• Months 4-5: Sport-specific activities and non-contact drills
• Months 5-6: Full contact practice and clearance for game action

This schedule assumes zero setbacks, which are common with shoulder injuries in hockey. The combination of checking, shot-blocking, and stick-handling places immense stress on the joint. For a player like Romanov, whose game relies on physicality and defensive positioning, rushing back could risk re-injury.

An Islanders spokesman confirmed the timeline when asked directly whether Romanov might miss the entire season, including playoffs: “The timeline is five to six months.” This straightforward answer leaves the door cracked open for a late postseason return but puts no pressure on the medical staff to accelerate the process.

Islanders defensive depth pushed to the limit

Romanov’s absence creates a massive void in New York’s lineup. Through 15 games this season, the 25-year-old had established himself as a reliable top-four defenseman, averaging 19:27 of ice time while contributing 31 hits and 31 blocked shots. His one assist undersold his value to a team built on structure and defensive responsibility rather than pure offense.

The timing compounds the challenge. Romanov had signed an eight-year contract on June 30, 2025, committing his prime years to the organization. The Islanders invested in him as part of their long-term defensive core, and losing that stability forces a reassessment of the entire depth chart.

Coach Roy has already signaled his plan to distribute Romanov’s minutes internally. “We have to move on, and you don’t replace a player like him. You hope that the guys coming in will fit in, and hopefully that [Adam] Boqvist will play like he’s been playing.” This vote of confidence puts pressure on Boqvist, a 23-year-old who has bounced between the NHL and AHL while searching for consistency.

The organization has also recalled Marshall Warren from Bridgeport (AHL) to provide additional depth. Warren impressed during his earlier call-up, displaying the mobility and puck-moving ability that modern NHL defenses require. His presence gives Roy options, but neither Boqvist nor Warren can replicate Romanov’s unique combination of physicality, skating, and defensive awareness.

Key defensive pairings without Romanov:

• Ryan Pulock & Noah Dobson (top pair unchanged)
• Alexander Romanov & Scott Mayfield (now Mayfield needs a new partner)
• Third pair becomes fluid: Adam Boqvist/Marshall Warren & Mike Reilly

The domino effect pushes everyone up the depth chart, exposing younger players to tougher assignments and increasing the workload on veterans Pulock and Dobson.

Salary cap implications and roster management

Beyond the on-ice tactical adjustments, Romanov’s long-term injury creates complex salary cap mathematics for GM Mathieu Darche. The defenseman currently sits on injured reserve but has not been moved to long-term injured reserve (LTIR), which would allow the Islanders to exceed the salary cap by his $4.25 million annual average value.

However, the new collective bargaining agreement includes a critical wrinkle that complicates this decision. Playoff rosters must be cap compliant, meaning any player on LTIR at the trade deadline who subsequently returns during the playoffs would force the team to shed salary to accommodate them. With Romanov’s potential April/May return, the Islanders could find themselves in a roster crunch at the worst possible moment.

This makes Darche’s approach to the trade deadline infinitely more complicated. Adding a replacement defenseman with significant salary might provide short-term relief but could backfire spectacularly if Romanov miraculously heals on schedule and New York makes a deep playoff run. The alternative — standing pat with internal options — might preserve financial flexibility but could cost the team valuable points in the standings during the stretch run.

The Islanders face another LTIR decision with Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who was declared week-to-week with an upper-body injury on the same day as Romanov’s surgery announcement. Pageau’s $5 million cap hit would provide additional relief if placed on LTIR, but the same playoff roster rules apply.

Patrick Roy’s challenge: Adapting without a key defenseman

When Patrick Roy addressed the media before Sunday’s game against Seattle, his tone reflected both concern and pragmatism. “First of all, he’s not happy, there’s no doubt about it,” Roy said of Romanov. The coach understands the personal disappointment for a player who had established himself as an indispensable part of the lineup.

Roy’s defensive system relies on gap control and physical engagement, qualities Romanov provided in abundance. Without him, the Islanders must either ask remaining defensemen to play outside their comfort zones or fundamentally alter their approach. The early returns suggest Roy is choosing the latter, emphasizing simplicity and support.

The coach has been proactive in managing expectations. Rather than pretending Romanov’s absence won’t be felt, he’s acknowledging the challenge while empowering his replacements. “It’s an opportunity for [Boqvist], and he needs to take advantage of it,” Roy stated plainly. This direct approach characterizes Roy’s coaching style and helps young players understand exactly what’s expected.

Internal options vs. external trade targets

The Islanders must decide whether their current depth can sustain them through five months or if external reinforcements are necessary. Adam Boqvist offers offensive upside but has struggled defensively in previous NHL stints. Marshall Warren brings speed and puck movement but lacks Romanov’s physical edge. Mike Reilly provides veteran experience but has been a healthy scratch for much of the season.

If Darche does explore the trade market, potential targets might include:

• A veteran rental defenseman on an expiring contract
• A younger player stuck in a deep organization’s depth chart
• A cap dump from a rebuilding team that could be flipped later

However, the cost must be weighed against the cap complications mentioned earlier. The Islanders own all their draft picks through 2026, giving them flexibility to make a move if they identify the right player at the right price.

What this means for the Islanders’ championship window

The Romanov injury represents a critical test for an organization trying to maximize its remaining years with core players like Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat, and Anders Lee. The Metropolitan Division remains highly competitive, with the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, and New York Rangers all fielding strong rosters. Any extended slump could drop the Islanders into a wild-card position or worse.

Yet there are reasons for cautious optimism. The Islanders have survived adversity before, and Roy’s coaching staff has shown an ability to adapt systems to available personnel. The strong start to the season provides a cushion in the standings that many injured teams lack. If Boqvist or Warren can seize their opportunity, the long-term development benefit might outweigh the short-term pain.

The injury also underscores the physical toll of modern NHL hockey. Romanov’s 31 hits in 15 games represented an intense style of play that risks exactly this type of outcome. Teams must balance aggressive play with injury prevention, a calculus that becomes impossible when opponents deliver dangerous hits.

For the Islanders, the path forward requires patience, internal development, and perhaps a touch of creativity from the front office. The five-to-six-month timeline gives them clarity but also creates urgency. Every point earned without Romanov makes the potential return that much more valuable, while every misstep could make the playoffs themselves uncertain.

The devastating blow to New York’s defense corps creates a fascinating case study in modern roster construction. Can a team built on defensive structure maintain its identity after losing a cornerstone? The answer may determine whether this Islanders season ends in early May or extends into June.

With the trade deadline still months away, Darche has time to evaluate his internal options and monitor Romanov’s recovery progress. The Islanders’ medical staff will provide regular updates, but the reality is clear: Alexander Romanov won’t wear an Islanders jersey again until spring at the earliest. Whether that means a triumphant playoff return or a long summer of rehabilitation depends on factors both within and beyond anyone’s control.

The coming weeks will reveal whether this injury derails a promising season or becomes the adversity that galvanizes a team. For now, the Islanders must play on, hoping their depth proves deeper than anyone imagined when the season began. The official team statement on Romanov’s surgery marks the start of a new chapter, one where New York’s resilience faces its toughest test yet.