Is it too early to start worrying about NY Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov?

The New York Islanders are off to an encouraging start to the season, but one lingering storyline continues to raise eyebrows: the struggles of Alexander Romanov. And at this point, it’s fair to ask the uncomfortable question - is it too early to be worried?

On paper, Romanov should be entering his prime. At 25 years old and fresh off signing an eight-year extension this summer, the Islanders invested in what they believed he would become: a hard-hitting, defensively reliable, top-four cornerstone. Instead, through the first stretch of the season, he has looked nothing like that player.

It’s not just that Romanov has underachieved; it’s that he looks completely out of sorts. His reads have been off, his gaps have been inconsistent, and the confidence he displayed last season seems to have evaporated. Advanced analytics paint an even harsher picture, placing him among the worst defensemen in the league in several key metrics, including expected goals against, high-danger chances allowed, and defensive-zone turnovers.

The pairing with Tony DeAngelo was the breaking point. DeAngelo, long considered a defensive liability, actually performed significantly better away from Romanov, while Romanov’s numbers cratered regardless of partner. When a stay-at-home defender makes his partners worse, the concern level naturally spikes.

Context matters, of course. Romanov has missed time already this season, and he struggles to remain healthy while playing a physical game. He’s adjusting to new systems under Patrick Roy and Bob Boughner, and his physical, high-energy style can take time to ramp up. Eight-year contracts aren’t judged in eight weeks. There is plenty of runway left.

But this was always a projection-based contract - one that assumed Romanov’s arrow would continue pointing upward. Right now, the Islanders would happily settle for him simply looking like the player he was last year. It’s not panic time yet. But yes, it’s absolutely fair to wonder when Romanov will turn the corner, and how long the Islanders can wait for him to rediscover the form they committed their future to.