NY Islanders lose Alexander Romanov for 6-8 months in crushing injury blow

What initially looked like a potentially concerning injury for Alexander Romanov has turned into about the worst news the New York Islanders could have received.

The Islanders announced Wednesday that Romanov will undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee and is expected to miss six to eight months. The injury occurred during the third period of Tuesday night's 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden following an awkward collision with Mika Zibanejad.

Romanov did not play the final 12:04 of the game, and Pete DeBoer said afterward that the defenseman was still being evaluated.

A day later, the Islanders learned they'll be without him for essentially the remainder of the season.

It's an especially difficult development considering how Romanov's return had been viewed entering the year. After playing only 15 games last season because of a shoulder injury, getting the 26-year-old back healthy was almost like adding a defenseman through a trade or free agency.

Instead, his comeback lasted three games.

Romanov had a plus-2 rating and was still working his way back into form after such a long absence. Now the Islanders suddenly have a significant hole on their blue line and a decision to make about how to fill it.

Logan Stanley should take on a larger role after Pete DeBoer called him "one of our better defensemen" against the Rangers. But the more intriguing question is who comes next.

Isaiah George entered training camp competing for an NHL job, while top prospect Kashawn Aitcheson impressed throughout camp and pushed deeper into the roster competition than perhaps expected.

The Islanders thought Romanov's return would be one of their biggest additions this season.

Three games later, they're instead faced with figuring out how to replace him.

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