Can Alexander Romanov Succeed Amidst the High Expectations?

It makes sense why Romanov has gotten such high expectations, as most Canadiens fans weren’t, and still aren’t, immediately aware of his performances outside of the World Juniors. He’s performed his best when it matters the most and when most people are watching, and in that sense, he’s shown some big-game ability.

In that same sense, there are so many more elements to his game beyond those two tournaments, elements that need to be looked upon and thought of in conjunction with everything else. Romanov is a very talented prospect, possessing keen defensive awareness, solid skating abilities, and a penchant for being able to move the puck up the ice, even if it doesn’t always generate offense.

I truly want to see him succeed at the NHL level and believe he can play in the right scenario. With the expectations placed upon him now; however, I feel as though it’s going to be difficult, as he doesn’t have any experience in the role fans are expecting him to play. Can he still live up to the challenge? It’s very likely, and I’d love to see it happen, with head coach Claude Julien having praised the defenseman’s performance’s during the team’s initial training.

However, similarly, I want to see a prospect be able to develop without the immediately high expectations this franchise places upon most any prospect. Alexander Romanov is truly one of the Canadiens’ top prospects, but if he can’t live up to the expectations immediately, don’t take it as him failing to live up to said expectations. Rather, see it as him needing more development.

After all, isn’t that what makes a top NHL defenseman in the first place?