The New York Islanders are on a mission of aggressive rebuilding. Recently, the team traded Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens in return for two 2025 NHL draft first-round picks and forward Emil Heineman. The team has extended Alexander Romanov’s contract by eight more years, confirming that the rapidly changing Islanders have high hopes for the 25-year-old.
Romanov signed a hefty contract of $50 million through the 2032-33 season with a cap hit of $6.25 million. Romanov, who has garnered 83 points over 354 NHL games, had not anticipated such a massive contract. But he was glad it materialized nonetheless. Moreover, the defenseman expressed that, besides the contract, he loved the team and cleared the air about rumors running wild amid the free agency frenzy.
Not the Boston Bruins or the Philadelphia Flyers, the New York Islanders Is Where Alexander Romanov Belongs
The defenseman from Moscow was taken aback when he learned that teams like the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers were interested in acquiring him. A quick clarification from his agent, Dan Milstein, and Romanov knew there was no truth to the speculations. “I was shocked when I heard that. I immediately texted Dan Milstein and asked, ‘What is this?’ He told me it wasn’t true.”
Moreover, there was no reason why the Bruins or the Flyers would be interested in Romanov’s services, and the defenseman realizes that adequately. “Both Boston and Philly are already set on the left side of their defense. From what I understand, they weren’t even interested.”
Romanov himself has no desire to be anywhere but New York. From the team to the coaches to the Islanders fans, he loves every bit of it. “I really like the guys on the team. The organization treats its players with a lot of care and respect — it’s rare to feel that kind of support from absolutely everyone, including the coaching staff.”
#Isles Transaction: The New York Islanders announced today that the club has signed defenseman Alexander Romanov to an eight-year contract.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) June 30, 2025
The renewed contract is an opportunity for Romanov to prove his mettle on the ice. Despite leading the team’s defense in terms of hits and blocked shots, Romanov was not expecting such a hefty deal. Now, the 25-year-old wants to prove he is worth that kind of investment. “I wasn’t expecting anything longer than six, and I definitely didn’t expect this kind of number… now the main thing is to hit the ice and prove I’m worth it.”
