Devils Keep 10th Overall Pick, Select 6’7 “Unicorn” Defensemen Anton Silayev

Photo Credit: (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

All the talk heading into the draft Friday night was that New Jersey would trade the 10th overall pick. Just a couple of hours before the draft began there was buzz on the draft floor that the pick was very much available for teams that wanted to get into the top 10.

Ultimately, Tom Fitzgerald kept the pick and with the 10th selection in the 2024 NHL draft, the Devils selected Russian defenseman Anton Silayev from Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the KHL.

An almost top-5 consensus pick, Silayev fell to New Jersey and Fitzgerald was able to land his #1 defensemen on his board. “He’s 6-7, great size but you quickly see his agility and footwork for that size, among the best you see at that age,” said Devils chief scout Mark Dennehy. “He’s mobile for his size with great defensive range.”

A rare combination of size and skating ability, scouts have stated that if Silayev hits his ceiling, New Jersey could have the next Victor Hedman, a player that Silayev idolizes. “He’s a better skater than Hedman”, said Torpedo’s coach and Hockey Hall of Famer Igor Larionov.

This past season Silayev stepped into the KHL and played the full season as a 17-year-old, only turning 18 in April. Under Larionov, Silayev played ~15:00 minutes a game, including over one minute per game on the power play.

“Mr. Larionov said my game reminds him of (Red Wings Hall of Fame defenseman) Nicklas Lidstrom. My coach even sent me links to watch [Lidstrom], and it was very exciting. I understand now that by taking little pieces from every player and combining it for your own needs, it can only help make you a better player,” said Silayev.

The Devils will have to wait two seasons to sign Silayev, as his contract with Torpedo runs through the 2025/26 season in the KHL.

According to Ryan Novozinsky of NJ.com, Silayev’s agent said there is “no chance” he would break from his KHL contract early, as Matvei Mitchkov did with SKA St. Petersburg, and join the Devils. “They’re confident that Igor Larionov will prep him for the NHL.”

When he comes to North America in 2026, the Devils’ defensive core will bolster the likes of Silayev, Luke Huges, Simon Nemec, and Seamus Casey, all of whom will be under the age of 23. As the saying goes, “Defense wins championships.” That’s how Tom Fitzgerald wants to build his team for the next decade in New Jersey.