Alexander Romanov aims to prove he was worth long-term NY Islanders extension

New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov has job security on Long Island, but don’t mistake his new contract for complacency. Fresh off signing an eight-year, $50 million extension just before free agency opened, the 25-year-old defenseman made it clear that stability comes with responsibility.

“Obviously so happy,” Romanov said before making his preseason debut in Tuesday’s 6-2 loss to the Devils. “But you got to prove that you’re responsible to play at this high level for the next eight years. We’re not only talking about this year, next year. All eight years.”

So what does that mean in practice? For Romanov, it’s simple: “Just play hard. Hardest hockey I ever played. Go all out.”

That blue-collar approach has defined Romanov since the Islanders acquired him in a 2022 draft-day deal with Montreal. At the time, the vision was pairing him long-term with Noah Dobson. But the landscape shifted this past summer: both were due for new contracts and the Islanders also used the No. 1 overall pick on defenseman Matthew Schaefer. In the end, Dobson went to the Canadiens, while Romanov signed his extension to remain a cornerstone of the Isles’ future.

If things go as planned, Romanov and Schaefer will anchor two-thirds of the Islanders’ left side into the next decade. The veteran has already been impressed by the rookie. “He’s a great player,” Romanov said of Schaefer. “The most important thing I noticed is that for his age, I don’t see a big difference between him and NHL players. It looks like he already has NHL experience.”

With his deal in place, Romanov is now tasked with blending veteran steadiness and his trademark intensity — while helping guide the next generation of the Islanders’ defense.