Islanders Taking Trade Calls On Alexander Romanov
Per Stefen Rosner, the 26-year-old defenseman is the latest Islander to garner trade calls from across the league in the week leading up to July 1.
Rosner drew a comparison to the speculation that recently surrounded Mathew Barzal.
"My read on the Romanov noise is similar to the Barzal chatter. Teams are calling," Rosner wrote. "Romanov's NTC doesn't kick in until July 1, 2027 and after an injury-shortened season, some GMs may be looking to buy low on a quality defenseman signed long-term."
The Contract Is the Hook
Romanov is signed through the 2032-33 season at a manageable $6.25 million cap hit, still the richest deal on the Islanders' blue line, after inking an eight-year, $50 million extension in June 2025.
That contract carries no trade protection until a full no-trade clause takes effect on July 1, 2027.
“Plenty of chatter throughout draft weekend surrounding New York Islanders defenceman Alexander Romanov. Things have cooled down after one Western team tried to land him, but something to keep tabs on.” #isles https://t.co/s9gfsvmBkb
— ISLES UPDATES (@IslesUpdateNY) June 30, 2026
This summer is the last window in which the Islanders can move him without his sign-off, and several teams are believed to be testing the waters on a cost-controlled, two-way defender locked up long-term.
That combination of a team-friendly cap hit and a closing trade-protection window is exactly what makes rival GMs see an opportunity to buy low.
Why the Value Is Down
Romanov appeared in just 15 games in 2025-26 before being hit from behind by Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen in November, suffering a serious shoulder injury that required surgery with a five-to-six-month recovery timeline.
He did not play again the rest of the season.
David Pagnotta confirms that the Islanders aren't looking to move Mat Barzal.
— Isles Rumor (@IslesRumor) June 26, 2026
He also mentions Alexander Romanov as a player who may be on the move. #Isles https://t.co/1RcvKgarR4
Rantanen escaped the play with only a five-minute major and a game misconduct, a controversial outcome given the severity of Romanov's injury.
Before the injury, Romanov had broken out, averaging a career-high 22 minutes of ice time per night and reaching 20 points in 64 games during the 2024-25 season after assuming a true top-pairing role.
That is the version of Romanov interested teams are betting they can get back.
The Islanders' Position
GM Mathieu Darche said after the draft that he does not expect major changes to the lineup this summer, which suggests the Islanders are listening rather than shopping Romanov.
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period addressed the situation as well, quickly dismissing any notion of Barzal being moved but acknowledging the Romanov chatter as a more legit situation worth monitoring.
The emergence of star rookie Matthew Schaefer, who had an electric debut season, gives the Islanders a young cornerstone on the left side, and the organization also has prospects like Kashawn Aitcheson and Jesse Pulkkinen potentially pushing for NHL time.
Moving Romanov's $6.25 million cap hit would clear money to address other areas and open a lineup spot for younger options like Isaiah George.
The Islanders are built for the future around Schaefer and a deep prospect pool, which means any Romanov return would likely need to come in the form of promising young players rather than future draft capital.
