After New Jersey Devils’ improvement camp concluded, a seemingly anxious 18-year-old Anton Silayev twiddled along with his thumbs whereas sitting at his locker. Any sane particular person could be nervous. He was drafted by the Devils, tenth general, simply eight days prior. Visiting a completely new continent for the primary time, the place you don’t know the language, is extremely troublesome.
However within the few days of camp, it was clear that Silayev was fluent in an important language: hockey. He towered over almost each Devils’ prospect, standing at an intimidating 6-foot-7. And even in some primary drills, you can inform why he was taking part in professional hockey within the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) when he was simply 17. Regardless of his huge body, he skates like a goal-scoring winger. His lengthy attain and physicality couple that to make a defenseman who’s, merely, fairly dang good at hockey.
Silayev’s Confidence
Regardless of the language barrier and the seen nervousness, Silayev was capable of exhibit his confidence by way of an interview along with his translator. The Hockey Writers requested him if there was a KHL participant that he thinks is hardest to play in opposition to. His response: “For me, it doesn’t matter. It’s the identical for me. I don’t have any gamers which can be troublesome to play in opposition to.”
That’s a fairly rockstar response for an 18-year-old who’s simply discovering their footing in a very unfamiliar setting. Thus far, this KHL season has been a particular success for Silayev, who’s now establishing himself as a dominant defensive pressure in one of many world’s hardest leagues. Regardless of taking part in for the mediocre Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, a staff who only in the near past climbed again to .500, he’s managed to maintain his plus/minus a optimistic (plus-1).
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He’s acquired top-pairing minutes at occasions, usually having to close down different NHL-caliber prospects and former NHLers alike. He averages 17 minutes and 21 seconds of ice time per recreation, which is third amongst all lineup regulars. The typical age of the opposite defensemen is 26, that means Silayev is eight years youthful. He’s additionally notched 4 assists within the ten video games he’s performed, which ranks first amongst all U22 KHL defensemen. Right here’s a take a look at what he’s able to:
Silayev mentioned his recreation is most akin to Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has an inch on Hedman, and for all we all know, he might develop much more! Hedman was equally a first-round choose in 2009, and has gone on to notch 728 profession factors with a plus-175 ranking. If Silayev can come even near that, it’s an enormous win for the Devils. And primarily based on what scouts are saying, it’s not that far-fetched.
Logan Horn of The Hockey Writers mentioned, “His poise and work ethic are actually optimistic traits as nicely, as he goes on the ice to work arduous and attempt to win video games. Silayev isn’t the flashiest participant, and doesn’t cheat for offense, as a substitute looking for the very best play he could make with out compromising any harmful possibilities within the different path. Silayev is an distinctive skater for his measurement, and strikes like an NHL-caliber defender already. He can work his method throughout the offensive blueline with possession, shut down performs from disadvantages along with his pace and attain, and has proven some potential as a puck provider by way of transition.”
There’s each purpose to imagine that Silayev might have been a top-three choose if he wasn’t from Russia, which generally brings about some uncertainty from organizations with the continuing world scenario. Many extremely regarded scouts/companies had him ranked between two and 5 on their board, so when he slipped to 10, it appeared like a no brainer for the Devils.
Silayev’s Future in New Jersey
He’s planning to play out the remainder of his contract (by way of 2025-26) in Russia earlier than heading over to North America. It’s by no means *absolutely* out of the query that he might come to North America sooner, although, like Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers did this season after being drafted seventh general in 2023.
It actually helps that his coach in Russia is a 14-year NHLer, Hockey Corridor of Famer and former Satan in Igor Larionov. Silayev mentioned Larionov was the primary to succeed in out to him when he bought chosen by the Devils, presumably with a number of pleasure. Having somebody who was as soon as in Silayev’s footwear ought to do wonders for his improvement and eventual acclimation into New Jersey.
The final day of improvement camp was open to Devils’ season ticket holders, who crammed your entire bleachers on the RWJBarnabas Hockey Home. Silayev advised The Hockey Writers, “For me, it was sort of a shock. So many followers got here and it’s solely apply. I want to thank all of them for his or her help. And I’m actually completely satisfied that this group has so many good followers. I (hope) I’ll make them completely satisfied once I change into a part of the staff.”
He’s solely going to get higher. Creating within the KHL is a good check, which he has (to date) handed with flying colours. Devils followers have each purpose to be enthusiastic about what Silayev can, in the future, carry to a core with championship aspirations.
