Alexander Romanov

March 2020 – Romanov has struggled to get ice time playing for a stacked team in CSKA Moskow, having averaged 12:53 in ice time during his 43 KHL games this season. CSKA is heavy favorites going into their first-round matchup against Torpedo. He also helped Team Russia to a silver medal in the 2020 World Junior Championships with 6 points in 8 games. Romanov is expected to start next season in Montreal. His smooth skating and offensive instinct should allow him to rise quickly on the Canadiens defense chart as the Canadiens lack someone with his skill set and have a very weak left side. Romanov could be a dark horse candidate for the Calder in the 2020-21 season. Pablo Ruiz

May 2019 – Romanov showed during his season in the KHL that he can play with the pros. And he showed in the WJC that he can be dominant against his peers. He tallied eight points in seven games and was the tournament’s top defenseman. Really, this guy could probably make the team if they can bring him over. He’s been that much of a surprise this year. – Dobber

October 2018 – Romanov has been included to the preliminary roster for Russia in the 2018 CIBC Canada-Russia series. If he makes the final roster it would be a great opportunity for the 18-year-old to match his skills against the other best prospects in the CHL. Drafted 38^th overall in 2018, Romanov has been adjusting quite well to the KHL this year and while the offense-minded Russian is a couple of years away the NHL, his progression will be interesting to watch over the next months as his NHL selection was a bit of a surprise to some at 38. Carl Sinclair

August 2018 – Les Habitants picked the Russian defenseman 38^th overall, a rank far from the one predicted by every prospects analysts. His shot is at a very high level and his low and fluid wind up makes it hard for opposing defenders and goalies to foresee. The size of an offensive dman isn’t as much of an issue in these years’ NHL and that’s perfect for Romanov who’s only 5-11. The fact he has a great feel for either goals or assists doesn’t make him any less of a mature and reliable defender, which the Habs love from their defense. The Russian who score 14 pts in the MHL (U20 Russian league) as well as scoring 3 pts in 5 U18 WJC games is far more than a couple years away from being the next Andrei Markov, but with that big of a reach to draft him, Marc Bergevin seems pretty confident he could be there eventually. Carl Sinclair