Alexander Romanov steps into Jack Hughes during the Islanders’ 4-3 OT win over the Devils on Oct. 25, 2024. Getty Images Quietly, he has become the Islanders’ best defensive defensemen, but by ...

At 23, Romanov is far from a finished product, as his offensive impact makes clear. Though he doubled his assist total from 2021-22 last season, that still left him with a meager 22 points in total.

Romanov spent two seasons with the Montreal Canadiens before he was acquired by the Islanders ahead of the 2022-23 season. Over the span of 133 games with Montreal, he racked up 19 points (4G, 15A).

Did you watch the 1997 classic “Anastasia” as a kid? We’re willing to bet the villain Rasputin – who sells his soul to kill the Romanov family in the movie – showed up in your nightmares ...