New York Islanders Acquire Alexander Romanov From Montreal

The New York Islanders were looking to fill a need at the NHL Draft. Many thought they would do so with the 13th overall pick. Instead, general manager Lou Lamoriello decided to move the pick to Montreal, who would use it later to acquire Kirby Dach, for defenceman Alexander Romanov.

Alexander Romanov Traded To The Islanders

The Islanders were in need of defence. Under the Lamoriello administrative, the Islanders shipped out Devon Toews to Colorado, who just won the Stanley Cup and Nick Leddy. Both were salary-cap casualties and solid puck-moving defencemen. Lamoriello stressed upgrading their defence after the season was over, mainly adding a puck-moving defenceman. He found his man in Romonav, who will add that element that was missing for the last two seasons. Romanov makes a seamless transition from defence to offence. He is excellent in his own zone. One area he can improve is his offence.

The 38th overall pick from the 2018 NHL Draft has played 133 games over his first two seasons in the NHL. Romanov took major strides in his second season with the Canadiens. In 79 games, he recorded three goals and 10 assists. And when Martin St. Louis took over as head coach, Romanov logged over 20 minutes a night. Romanov was incorporated more into a top-four role with Montreal.  He will look to continue that growth with the Islanders and add a bit of physicality that has been lacking.

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Going Forward

The Islanders have some work to do. As David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported before this trade went down. Prior to the trade, the Canadiens had not started contract talks with Romanov. Romanov is a pending restricted free agent in need of a new contract. He is a 10.2 (c) restricted free agent meaning he has not played enough games to have any arbitration rights and cannot be subject to an offer sheet. It will be interesting to see what kind of contract Lamoriello and the Islanders give him.

Once signed the Islanders will have a solid player that will join Noah Dobson, Ryan Pulock, and Adam Pelech on the defensive side of the puck. That is a pretty solid top four.