On night one of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, the New Jersey Devils selected 6-foot-7 defenseman Anton Silayev from Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the Kontinental Hockey League.
Silayev turned 18 on April 11, ranking as a top-five prospect in the Entry Draft. As a 17-year-old in the KHL in 2023-24, he broke a league record held by Vladimir Tarasenko for most points by a U18 player, scoring three goals and 11 points in 63 games. In the playoffs, he added two assists in five games.
There are dozens of prospect reports for fans to read up on the new top prospect in the Devils system, but here are three things you should know about Silayev.
Silayev Could Become One of the Tallest Players in Devils History
Since their inception in 1974, the Devils franchise has had only one player stand at 6-foot-7, Olli Malmivaara, who played just two games and 18 shifts in 2007-08.
Here's a breakdown of the biggest guys to play in New Jersey:
- Olli Malmivaara (6-foot-7)
- Sascha Goc (6-foot-6)
- David Steckel (6-foot-6)
- Brian Boyle (6-foot-6)
- Kurtis Gabriel (6-foot-6)
- Kevin Bahl (6-foot-6)
- Jon Gillies (6-foot-6)
- Dougie Hamilton (6-foot-6)
- Jacob Markstrom (6-foot-6)
When Silayev makes it to Newark, possibly for the 2026-27 season, since his current deal in the KHL runs through the end of the 2025-26 season, he could tie Malmivaara as the tallest player to wear a Devils uniform.
Coached in the KHL by Former Devils Player and Hockey Hall of Famer
Silayev played with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the KHL last season, coached by Hockey Hall of Famer Igor Larionov.
During "The Professor's" NHL career, he won three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings and finished his 14-year career with the Devils in 2003-04. In one season in East Rutherford, Larionov scored 11 points in 49 games at age 43.
As one of the most decorated Russian players of all time, he went into coaching after his playing days, working at the junior level before taking over Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in 2022-23.
Even though Larionov played center and Silayev is a defender, it is an invaluable experience to be taught by one of the game's most brilliant minds.
Silayev Is a Future Locker Room Leader in the Making
Of all the Russian prospects in the 2024 Entry Draft, Ivan Demidov may have had the highest ranking, but according to his EliteProspects profile, he's never been a captain on any of the teams.
On the other hand, Silayev has had a couple of leadership roles at the U16 District Cup and Russian U18 tournament, serving as captain of both clubs.
He won't come to New Jersey and unseat anyone on the current leadership team. Still, knowing the young kid has leadership capabilities, those traits will help him adjust to his new team and go far beyond his contributions on the scoresheet.
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