EAST MEADOW, NY -- The New York Islanders have signed 25-year-old defenseman Alexander Romanov to an eight-year extension worth $56 million with an average annual value of $6.25 million.

Romanov was a pending restricted free agent with arbitration rights, coming off a 20-point season (four goals, 16 assists) in 22:19 minutes per game, which included 147 hits and 165 blocks.

The Islanders now have $14.693 million in available cap space with free agency beginning on Tuesday, with the team still needing to come to terms with RFA forwards Simon Holmstrom, Maxim Tsyplakov, and Marc Gatcomb.

So, what does this move mean for the franchise?

It certainly shows that not only does general manager Mathieu Darche like the player, but it's also clear that Romanov's physical, aggressive game is exactly the type of mindset and style he wants the Islanders to play with.

Now, the AAV and, quite frankly, the years on the deal seem high, but with the salary cap rising exponentially and this upcoming season being the last where players can sign eight-year deals, this is a contract that should bode well for the Islanders, as long as Romanov can stay healthy.

The Islanders just went through a strenuous negotiation with Naoh Dobson, but ultimately could not come to terms on a deal. They shipped him to the Montreal Canadiens this past Friday for picks No. 16 and No. 17, along with depth forward Emil Heineman.

In my 1-on-1 with Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche, he explained that Romanov's extension talks were going really well but that a lot of the last few weeks have been spent on Dobson.

He was confident a deal would get done and he was right.

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Romanov may not be a top-pairing defenseman for the Islanders, but the Islanders don't need him to be.

With the first overall pick, Matthew Schaefer, in the fold, whether he makes the team out of training camp or next season, veteran Adam Pelech is still around for the next four years, and the young Isaiah George looking to be a full-time NHLer this season, the Islanders are set on the left side for years to come.

That doesn't include their No. 17 overall pick, Kashawn Aitcheson, who is essentially the Canadian version of Romanov.

The question is, who will Romanov be playing with in the fall?

Will he be paired with Ryan Pulock, Adam Boqvist, Scott Mayfield or someone else?

That will be the biggest question as we approach training camp, but having Romanov locked up is key for an organization that is in the mix of a retool and trying to create a new identity.

PHOTO: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

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