Alexander Romanov of the New York Islanders tore the ACL in his right knee during a game against the New York Rangers on October 6, 2026, as announced by the team. This injury comes just three games after his return from shoulder surgery, and he is expected to undergo surgery and miss 6-8 months of play. This situation poses challenges for the Islanders' defense.
During training camp, the Islanders made adjustments to their lineup, including moving Matthew Schaefer to the right side to accommodate left-handed prospects Kashawn Aitcheson and Malte Gustafsson. The team had hoped for Isaiah George to secure a spot on the left side, while Romanov was expected to play in the top four. However, George did not make the lineup, leading to the signing of Logan Stanley. With Romanov's injury, the Islanders now face decisions regarding their defensive lineup.
The team must consider whether to keep Schaefer on the right and call up a left-handed player like George or Aitcheson, or to move Schaefer back to the left and insert one of the right-handed healthy scratches, Scott Mayfield or Matt Kessel. Neither Mayfield nor Kessel has practiced on the left side, making this option less favorable.
Aitcheson and George have both played for AHL Hamilton, with Aitcheson recording an assist in his first game. General Manager Mathieu Darche has expressed caution about rushing prospects, particularly Aitcheson, who played in juniors last season. He noted that while Aitcheson performed well in the OHL, the transition to the NHL requires time.
Romanov's injury complicates the Islanders' situation, especially with his full no-trade clause set to begin on July 1 of the following season. Darche will need to evaluate whether Romanov is a key player worth his $6.25 million annual salary through 2033. There was expected interest in Romanov around the league, but his injury history may affect his trade value moving forward.