The returns of Kyle Palmieri and Alexander Romanov raise some concerns

Islanders Looking to Address Offseason Gaps

This offseason could be crucial for the Islanders as they aim to fill some significant gaps in their roster.

Throughout the previous season, the team faced challenges replacing Kyle Palmieri after he suffered an ACL tear. To address the situation, they traded a third-round pick for Carson Soucy, especially after Alexander Romanov’s shoulder injury complicated matters.

Both players are expected to be back without restrictions on the first day of training camp. Yet, their return may come too late to salvage a playoff push, which could influence the team’s strategies moving forward.

Romanov expressed his frustration about missing the majority of the season, saying, “I hate it. It’s horrible.” He noted how difficult it was to watch games while focusing on rehabilitation.

If the Islanders had made the playoffs, it’s likely Romanov would have been part of the roster. After the season ended, he began practicing again and was close to returning to gameplay. Hopefully, his summer recovery will be relatively standard, though he may still feel some pressure.

However, the same can’t be said for Palmieri. He hinted that had the team performed better, he might have pushed himself to return. On the day of his exit, he mentioned needing more time for rehab.

History shows that players often take time to regain their previous form after ACL injuries. Anders Lee, for instance, has mentioned not feeling like himself during his first season back from a similar setback.

Both Palmieri’s recovery timeline and Romanov’s role will be pivotal for the Islanders’ aspirations for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

When Palmieri was signed to a two-year extension last summer, expectations were high, with hopes for him to hit the 25-30 goal mark. Sadly, after his injury, he was unable to deliver on that potential. The free agent market doesn’t look promising either, so it’s uncertain how the Islanders will effectively strengthen their top six.

A lot seems to hinge on Palmieri making a swift return. He mentioned, “It’s been a little over four months since surgery, and I feel great on the ice.” He began skating more seriously before the end of the season, expressing his eagerness to have a productive summer of training.

The situation with Romanov brings an intriguing challenge for the team, especially regarding lineup spots. With Matthew Schaefer emerging as a standout player, Romanov, signed to an eight-year contract last summer worth $6.25 million, seems to be positioned as a third-pair defenseman alongside Schaefer and Adam Pelech.

This trio complicates matters for Isaiah George, who had minimal playing time during the last season due to injury. Now, with the Islanders needing to adjust, will they consider moving someone to balance the lineup, particularly considering their weaker right-side defensive depth? Or might they look at trading either Pelech or George, who has a no-trade clause with 16 teams? That could be a potential path to bolster the forward lineup, but it also places significant faith in Romanov’s recovery, especially after a rough start to the season.