trim_14028474-D033-4FF6-B654-3A09671C9AFC New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov has yet to play since Nov. 1, missing seven straight games and 10 of the last 11 with an upper-body injury. But every skate means one step closer to Romanov's return. Despite skating in a regular practice jersey in Seattle on Friday after wearing a non-contact orange sweater the two skates prior, Romanov remained an extra. However, on Monday in Calgary, Romanov was back as a regular, skating with Noah Dobson, per Newsday's Andrew Gross [https://x.com/AGrossNewsday/status/1858590168153821293] and the New York Post's Ethan Sears [https://x.com/ethan_sears/status/1858590572551778484]. Isaiah George has spent most of his NHL minutes through his first six NHL games alongside Dobson, but the Romanov-Dobson duo has been very strong this season. Ryan Pulock, who has skated on his off-side alongside Scott Mayfield, will now get George as a linemate, with Scott Mayfield dropping back down to the bottom-pairing alongside Dennis Cholowski. Grant Hutton and Travis Mitchell are the extras, with Mitchell likely to be returned to Bridgeport of the American Hockey League once Romanov is ready to return. The Islanders battle the Flames at 9 PM ET on Tuesday.
