Isles' Romanov extended to $50 million contract

The New York Islanders have extended Alexander Romanov to a 8 year $6.25 million contract. 

This move is on the heels of a couple prior moves that signal the changing of the guard befalling the New York Islanders D core. The 2 big moves in question the ones that took place on draft day last Friday with the Noah Dobson trade to Montreal and the Matthew Schaefer selection with the 1st pick in the draft. The Islanders also selected another defenseman in the 1st round in Keshaun Aitcheson with the 17th overall pick. 

Islanders new general manager Mathieu Darche clearly wanted to keep Romanov on that long island blueline for the long term future and he has done so albeit it has come at quite a hefty price at $50 million. It is rather curious he will be making more money than the also recently extended Aaron Ekblad. 

The 25 year old defenseman produced 4 goals and 16 assists for 20 points in 64 games last season. The 5 year veteran has been with this Islanders squad since 2022 when he was traded from the Montreal Canadiens. During those 3 years he has amassed 13 goals and 51 assists for 64 points in 221 games. Over the course of his entire 5 year career, he has totaled 17 goals and 66 assists for 83 points in 366 games. 

Romanov will be expected to keep eating up minutes on that Isles 1st pair throughout the duration of this deal. Perhaps one day he will be a D partner to top prospect Matthew Schaefer.