It’s unclear when the Islanders will get Alexander Romanov back from an upper-body injury, but general manager Mathieu Darche declined to rule out long-term injured reserve Wednesday, hours before the team cleared a roster spot for a potential call-up by waiving Marc Gatcomb.

Darche said that Romanov is unlikely to play Thursday or Saturday, but did not go further than that.

He called the injury “nothing serious” but indicated that LTIR — which would put Romanov on the shelf for a minimum of 10 games and 24 days — is an option for the defenseman.

Alexander Romanov, who is battling an upper-body injury, skates with the puck during the Islanders’ win over the Oilers on Oct. 16, 2025. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

“We’re looking at different options right now,” Darche said. “That’s part of o

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