The Islanders’ blue line may already be under strain three games into the season.
Alexander Romanov left Tuesday night’s 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden and did not return for the final 12:04. There was no clear moment that appeared to cause the issue, and afterward Pete DeBoer had little to offer beyond this: "Still being evaluated," DeBoer said.
That’s the kind of update that sends a jolt through the Islanders’ fan base, because Romanov’s recent track record has been a tough one. The 26-year-old played only 15 games last season before undergoing shoulder surgery, and the year before that he missed nearly 20 games because of injuries.
His comeback was never going to be a straight line. Romanov said he was struggling in his first preseason game after being away for 10 months, and he has been trying to find his rhythm again in the opening stretch of the season. Now there’s a real question about whether that progress gets interrupted again.
If Romanov is out for any length of time, the Islanders will have to reshuffle quickly on defense. Logan Stanley picked up some of Romanov’s minutes against the Rangers and logged 19:21 of ice time. DeBoer said Stanley was "one of our better defensemen tonight," but that doesn’t erase the possibility of another opening on the back end.
The names to watch if the Islanders need help before Thursday’s game against Chicago are Isaiah George and Kashawn Aitcheson. George entered training camp with a shot at the third pair, while Aitcheson made enough of an impression to stay in the mix. Still, Scott Mayfield looks like the likeliest option to go back in if the Islanders need to plug a hole after Stanley pushed him out to begin the season.
All offseason, the Islanders pointed to Romanov’s return as one of the reasons their defense could be stronger without adding anyone from outside. Three games in, that plan is already looking fragile.
In Other News...
Former Islanders Forward Already Facing Heat In Calgary
Maxim Tsyplakovs move to Calgary has quickly become one of those early-season storylines that can shift a players standing before the calendar really gets going. The former Islanders forward arrived in a trade package that sent Simon Nemec to the Flames and brought multiple draft picks plus prospect Etienne Morin to New Jersey, but the attention in Calgary now is less about the deal and more about how Tsyplakov fits into a lineup that is still taking shape.
His start has not helped his case. The struggles that followed him from last season have carried into the preseason and the opening stretch of 2026-27, and with Calgary managing just three goals in three games, there is already pressure on the club to look elsewhere for offense. In a rebuilding setting where younger players are pushing for NHL minutes, Tsyplakovs roster spot is beginning to feel less secure by the day. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Bring Another Wrinkle Into Islanders Home Opener
The Rangers added another layer to the Islanders home opener by recalling forward Cole Beaudoin from Hartford, a move that reflects how quickly the early-season roster picture is shifting for their biggest rival. Beaudoin earned the promotion after a strong start in the AHL with the Wolf Pack, and his arrival gives New York another young option as it shuffles pieces around at forward.
Joe Velenos trip to injured reserve opened the door for the transaction, while defenseman Matthew Robertson cleared waivers and was assigned to Hartford. For the Islanders, the wrinkle is less about the paperwork and more about the timing, with a new face potentially stepping into the spotlight in a game that already carries plenty of edge. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Just Saw A Fan Loyalty Surge They Had To Notice
A strong offseason response around the Islanders business side has given the organization real reason to pay attention. President of Business Operations Kelly Cheeseman said the clubs season-ticket base remained remarkably steady from one year to the next, a sign that the core fan group is still locked in even as the team keeps pushing to broaden its reach.
The bigger picture is just as encouraging for the franchises long-term plans. The Islanders have also seen more women engaging with the brand and have posted significant digital growth across their online platforms, giving the team more momentum as it rolls out ticket promotions and marketing efforts designed to build a younger, more involved fan base over the next five years. [Read more 🡒]