Romanov Making Positive Impression on Islanders

Alexander Romanov may be a new face at Islanders Training Camp, but he's a familiar face to Ilya Sorokin.
On Friday afternoon that face was smirking and hovering around Sorokin during the goalie's media availability. The gregarious Romanov was walking the line of trying to distract his friend, while also being mindful of Sorokin's media obligation. Afterwards, they exchanged a few words and laughs in Russian. Prior to that Romanov joked that Sorokin looked too skinny to be a hockey player before conceding the obvious point that Sorokin was a great goalie. He said it just loud enough for his stall mate to hear.

"He's a funny guy, a lot of energy," Sorokin said. "Good guy."
Romanov and Sorokin's friendship started when they were teammates together with CSKA Moscow from 2018-20, winning a Gagarin Cup in 2019. Now they're reunited on Long Island.
"He's a really strong defenseman, a very aggressive, strong guy," Sorokin said. "He's a big help for our team."

Sorokin and Romanov sit next to each other in the Islanders' locker room. With Semyon Varlamov on the other side of Sorokin, there's a Russian pocket in the corner of the room. While Varlamov didn't know Romanov prior to the trade, the animated defenseman is making an impression.
"He's funny," Varlamov said. "He always comes in in the locker room with a big smile on his face. He's making fun of everybody already. He has a great personality. Just nice to have him on the team."
Sorokin's been a tour guide since Romanov arrived on Long Island more than a month ago. Romanov and his wife are living in a hotel, but Sorokin has them over to his apartment most days after skates. The 22-year-old defenseman is excited for a change of scenery after coming over from Montreal, where he spent the past two seasons.
"New York is a capital of the world you know," Romanov said. "It's amazing to be here. I'm so excited."

Romanov has been
itching to get started with the Islanders
since being
acquired for the 13th overall pick
at the NHL Draft in July. He spent the past month skating with some of the veterans in the leadup to camp.
"He's one of the first guys to show up every morning and one of the last guys to leave," Anders Lee said ahead of the team's golf outing. "His work ethic has shown already and I know how excited he is already to get going and we're seeing some pretty good glimpses of him on the ice."
He also plays ping pong, so he seems to be fitting in.
Romanov has paired with Noah Dobson through the first three days of camp, essentially a chance to see if their styles of play mesh as well on the ice as they would seem to on paper. The conventional wisdom suggests that Romanov's hard-hitting, physical style would complement Dobson's puck moving and offensive game, though Head Coach Lane Lambert isn't committing to anything three days in.
"Alex likes to play with an edge," Dobson said. "With forwards coming through the middle of the ice, they have to be aware because he likes to step up on guys."
Dobson led all Islanders defensemen with 51 points last season (13G, 38A), which tied for 15th in the NHL among blue liners. Romanov averaged over 20 minutes per game and his 227 hits and 144 blocks were both 19th in the league last season.

"Obviously the more practices, games and stuff to play with each other more comfortable we'll get," Dobson said. "He's a great player and I'm excited to play with him."
Romanov said while he focused on improving his offensive game in the offseason, his main strengths are in the defensive zone.
"I will try to add to this team at every single position," Romanov said. so "And play as hard as I can and do what I can do."
Whether it's his work ethic on the ice, or lively personality off it, Romanov is making a positive impression for teammates old and new.
"He's a good kid," Varlamov said. "He's young, very talented. I think he's a great fit for this team. He can skate, he has a great shot and he's just a great guy overall. I'm glad we have him on the team."