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The New York Islanders received a devastating blow when defenseman Alexander Romanov was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL. The injury occurred in a freak accident midway through the third period, despite Romanov executing a proper check.
Romanov, who signed a seven-year, $50 million extension last year to remain with the Islanders, was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for the 13th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. The injury is a major setback for both the player, who aimed to justify his lucrative contract, and the franchise, which invested heavily in him.
With Romanov sidelined, the Islanders must find ways to compensate for his absence. Here are three defenders who will need to elevate their play:
Matthew Schaefer
Schaefer, who plays on the first pairing, is not directly impacted by the loss of his defensive partner, Adam Pelech. However, at just 19 years old, Schaefer is the anchor of the defensive corps and logs the most minutes. As the team's No. 1 defenseman and an alternate captain, he will be counted on even more heavily to lead the group.
Ryan Pulock
Pulock, 31, just lost his defensive partner in Romanov, but he cannot allow his side of the ice to falter. As a veteran, he must rise to the occasion. Head coach Pete DeBoer is unlikely to break up the bottom pairing of Logan Stanley and Tony D'Angelo, so Romanov's replacement will likely slot in alongside Pulock. Pulock will need to be the steady presence he has been in the early games of the season.
Scott Mayfield or Matthew Kessel
Whoever fills Romanov's spot must seize the opportunity, and it will likely be Scott Mayfield or Matthew Kessel. Mayfield, 33, is signed for four more years at $3.50 million annually. He has faced criticism and was a healthy scratch to start the season, but this is a chance for him to prove his worth, as his spot in the lineup is not secure. Mayfield is the leading candidate to replace Romanov.
Kessel, 26, has yet to secure a full-time NHL role, and this could be an opportunity to evaluate him if the Islanders choose that path. If selected, Kessel would likely play on the third pairing alongside Stanley or D'Angelo. A strong performance could earn him more minutes in the future. The Islanders could also consider calling up someone like Isaiah George.
This is a tough break for the Islanders, but in hockey, the next man up must deliver.