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Good Morning, Islanders Country.
When NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stood at the podium at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and announced that the Montreal Canadiens had traded 22-year-old defenseman Alexander Romanov, let’s not forget the reaction of Habs fans.
While many Isles fans were only somewhat familiar with Romanov’s game, he had become a fan favorite in Montreal for his hard open ice hits and clear skating ability that screamed Top-4 potential even if he hadn’t put it all together yet.
Well, he’s starting to put it all together.
Romanov is +10 over the last 9 games (third-best in the NHL), and no other Islander teammate is better than +7 over that span. Sometimes it clicks for players from one year to the next, but for “Romy,” it seemingly has happened during the final third of the season. Lane Lambert has stopped short of calling it a turnaround, but it’s clear that through simplifying his game, his level of confidence and comfort has grown.
The big hits, like the one Saturday on Tomas Hertl, have come as advertised, and while they bring excitement for a moment, it’s the way Romanov is using his speed, picking spots, and blocking shots that should get fans really excited.
The kid is just starting to figure it out, but is turning into a steady and reliable part of this team with a unique combination of physicality and offensive potential.
The trade for Romanov was another one of those “for today and tomorrow” moves by GM Lou Lamoriello. The Isles needed to add a defenseman during the off-season and did that with the Romanov trade with hopes that it would pay dividends this season and bigger dividends in years to come. With each game that passes, that Draft Day gamble is looking like a safer bet.
Coming up, JG Pageau has found the game quickly since returning, and Josh Bailey tries to stay positive after being scratched again. Plus, Bo Horvat keeps getting his chances, a bright spot for the 2000-01 team, and Butch shows off the bucket helmet.
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