It is the worst news possible for Alexander Romanov and the Islanders. 

Just three games into his return from shoulder surgery, Romanov tore the ACL in his right knee against the Rangers on Tuesday night, the Islanders announced. He will undergo surgery to repair the injury and willl miss 6-8 months. 

One week into the season, it puts the Islanders defense into a bind. 

Islanders’ Alexander Romanov (28) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in New York. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Flipping Matthew Schaefer to the right side during training camp happened in part for long-term reasons — prospects Kashawn Aitcheson and Malte Gustafsson are lefties, so if Schaefer can play the right, it will help down the line — but the main two considerations were short term. 

The Islanders wanted Isaiah George to win a lineup spot on his natural left side. And they wanted Romanov to play in the top four. 

George did not win a spot, prompting the Islanders to sign Logan Stanley. And now Romanov is most likely done for the season. 

The question now is, do the Islanders stick with Schaefer on the right and call up a lefty — either George or Aitcheson — or flip him back to the left, and insert one of the two righties who have been healthy scratches: Scott Mayfield or Matt Kessel? 

Neither Mayfield nor Kessel has practiced on the left, so while that is technically possible, it would seem to be the worst of the options at the Islanders’ disposal. 

George and Aitcheson have both played the first two games for AHL Hamilton, with Aitcheson recording an assist in the opener. 

Aitcheson surprised the Islanders with how ready he looked at camp, but general manager Mathieu Darche is wary of rushing prospects, particularly given that the 20-year-old was in juniors last season. It does seem like a matter of time before Aitcheson gets a shot, but the Islanders may see this as too soon. 

Kashawn Aitcheson #37 of the New York Islanders skates against the New York Rangers during a preseason game. Getty Images

“Aitcheson had a great year in the OHL but it’s a step from the OHL to the NHL,” Darche said a week ago, before opening night. “The way he showed in the games — as well as he did, they both [Aitcheson and Cole Eiserman] showed that they need time. Is that time gonna be in a month, two months? Later, after Christmas, next year? Let’s see how they go.” 

There’s a long-term element to this too, with the injury complicating a situation the Islanders needed Romanov’s play to help solve. 

With Romanov’s full no-trade clause set to kick in July 1 of next season, Darche had to decide by then whether he saw the 26-year-old as enough of a cornerstone to justify a $6.25 million annual salary that extends through 2033. 

It’s believed that there would have been interest in Romanov around the league should Darche have decided to move him, in part because that salary number is suddenly attractive for a defenseman in the top four. 

Now, though, chances are that Romanov’s no-trade clause will kick in with him having played just 18 games in two seasons. So not only will the Islanders be unsure what they have in him, but his injury history will put a dent in his trade value.