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Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov out 5 to 6 months after shoulder surgery

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Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov out 5 to 6 months after shoulder surgery | iNFOnews.ca
Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) collides with New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov (28) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov will be out for five to six months following surgery on his right shoulder, the team said Sunday.

The injury to the 25-year-old Romanov occurred Tuesday in Dallas in the final minute of regulation when he was hit from behind by Stars forward Mikko Rantanen. The Islanders won the game 3-2.

Romanov had to be helped from the ice and the team placed him on injured reserve on Wednesday. Romanov has one assist in 15 games this season. He signed an eight-year, $50 million contract last summer.

“He’s not happy,” Islanders coach Patrick Roy said before Sunday’s home game against Seattle. “We have to move on. We don’t replace a player like that.”

Roy said the team would rely on Adam Boqvist and Marshall Warren in place of the speedy Romanov. The Islanders won six of seven games on their just-completed trip before losing 2-1 to St. Louis at home on Saturday.

“You hope that the guys coming in will fit it and hopefully that Boqvist will play like he’s been playing,” Roy said of his defense corps, which has been bolstered by 18-year-old rookie standout Matthew Schaefer.

Rantanen received a five-minute boarding penalty and game misconduct, but no additional discipline from the league for the hit on Romanov. He was suspended for one game earlier Sunday following a hit on Calgary’s Matt Caronato during Saturday’s game, 3-2 shootout loss to the Flames.

Roy was furious after Rantanen’s hit on Romanov and yelled at the Dallas player as he went to the locker room through a tunnel between the benches.

Stars coach Glen Gulutzan defended his player because he believed Rantanen’s skate was clipped by Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield, causing him to raise his arms for balance just before contact with Romanov.

Rantanen said he did not intend to injure Romanov. He is in his first full season with Dallas after getting traded twice last season.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov out 5 to 6 months after shoulder surgery | iNFOnews.ca
New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov (28) lays on the ice after being hit by Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov out 5 to 6 months after shoulder surgery | iNFOnews.ca
New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov (28) lays on the ice after being hit by Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen, bottom, during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

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The Associated Press

Allan Kreda

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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