Preseason Preview/Lines #3: Time To Unwrap Romanov Mystery

It’s time to unwrap the mystery of Georgi Romanov.

The VHL import will get his first NHL action, starting tonight’s pre-season tilt with the Anaheim Ducks.

The San Jose Sharks signed Romanov to a two-year contract, out of second-division Russian hockey, this past summer. The 23-year-old goaltender has only appeared in one KHL game, in the shootout.

Romanov was a mystery, even to my own sources.

“I have zero info on Romanov,” an NHL scout from outside the Sharks organization and very familiar with Russian hockey told San Jose Hockey Now in May.

Is the Big, Athletic Goalie the New Running Back? Making Sense of Sharks’ Romanov Signing

There’s no doubt that he’s big – 6-foot-6 – and quick. That’s been apparent at Rookie Faceoff and training camp.

Look at these distinguished gentlemen 👨🏻✨ pic.twitter.com/zLtjvFyYi2

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) September 27, 2023

Another NHL scout shared recently, “He is an enigma to me. The last time I saw him on the MHL [junior] level, the other goalie impressed me more.”

He hasn’t been particularly taken by Romanov in the VHL, where the Yekaterinburg native has toiled for parts of the last four seasons.

Romanov, however, has impressed so far in North America. He backstopped the Sharks to a 4-3 shootout win at the Rookie Faceoff and has appeared to hold his own throughout main camp.

“He’s very athletic. He’s incredibly competitive. I’ve been very, very impressed with him,” San Jose Sharks head coach David Quinn said. “Credit to [Evgeni Nabokov and Thomas Speer]. We were watching him on film last year and these guys loved him.”

Sharks Training Camp Buzz: Bordeleau, Hertl, Romanov & More (+)

“Romanov is a huge, positional goalie that can develop with good coaches,” the scout said. “Maybe some fresh air in North America will help him to reach the next level?”

San Jose Sharks (1-1-0)

Anaheim Ducks (2-0-0)

Tonight’s #SJSharks #FlyTogether line-ups pic.twitter.com/PQClGV10Cf

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 27, 2023

Quinn also said that Peterson-Bordeleau-Zadina will be a line, and Thrun-Benning, Okhotiuk-Burroughs will pair up

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 27, 2023

Where to Watch

Puck drop between the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks is 7 PM PT at Honda Center. Watch it on anaheimducks.com or listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.