Alexander Romanov will miss 5-6 months and have shoulder surgery after Mikko Rantanen’s hit last Tuesday, the Islanders announced.
Romanov has been wearing a sling on his right arm, so it is presumed that his right shoulder will be operated on.
Though Rantanen was not suspended for the hit on Romanov, which incurred a game misconduct, he was suspended Sunday for one game following a second illegal hit — this one on Calgary’s Matt Coronato.
Alexander Romanov (28) will miss time and have shoulder surgery after Mikko Rantanen’s hit last Tuesday. AP
Alexander Romanov will miss five to six months. NHLI via Getty Images
That suspension was automatically triggered by Rule 23.6, which states that any player who incurs two game misconduct penalties before playing in 41 consecutive games without such a penalty will be automatically suspended.
The Islanders had already filled Romanov’s roster spot by calling up Marshall Warren, and it’s unlikely there will be more roster moves in the near future.
The question now, though, is whether Romanov’s timeline — which sets a possible return date in April or May — makes it worthwhile for the Islanders to put the defenseman, and his $6.25 million salary, on long-term injured reserve.
The change to playoff LTI rules this season stipulates that the roster a team dresses for a playoff game must be cap compliant, so if Romanov is set to return for a potential postseason run, the Islanders’ ability to take advantage of LTIR is handicapped.