2024 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Anton Silayev

The Scouting Report

Standing at an imposing 6-foot-7 and weighing 207 pounds, left-shot defenseman Anton Silayev out of Sarov, Russia, has quickly gone from under-the-radar to can’t-miss. Once a relatively unknown name outside of Russia, Silayev has exploded onto the international radar following a strong 2023–24 campaign with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the KHL.

At just 17 years old, Silayev made history—tallying 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists) in 63 games to become the highest-scoring under-18 player in KHL history. He also led his club with 98 hits, anchoring the blue line with a physical edge rarely seen at his age.

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Draft Projections

I have highlighted some of Anton Silayev’s attributes, let’s take a deeper dive into those attributes and areas of improvement.

Hockey Sense & Defensive Play

Anton Silayev is reshaping expectations of what a stay-at-home defenseman can offer. With an elite wingspan and sound positional instincts, he closes gaps with ease and plays a pivotal role in breaking up plays before they develop. His awareness in the defensive zone stands out—he tracks the puck well, reads passing lanes, and uses his frame to shut down high-danger opportunities. For a player his size, his skating is impressively smooth, helping him stay mobile and engaged in transition play.

While his offensive upside remains a work in progress, Silayev makes intelligent, low-risk passes and often initiates clean breakouts. He displays patience under pressure and rarely panics with the puck, a quality that will only improve as he gains experience. His calm demeanor and ability to hold his ground give him a steady, composed presence on the

Skating

Silayev demonstrates exceptional skill on the ice, skillfully maneuvering along the blue line with grace. His seamless transitions onto his heels allow him to confidently carry the puck up the ice, close gaps effectively, and disrupt opponents with his active stick. Admirable is a defenseman who seamlessly blends both agility and size, all while executing plays with a remarkable level of effortlessness.

Silayev’s finesse in navigating the blue line showcases a combination of technical proficiency and fluid skating that is truly impressive. His acceleration has explosive quality to it, enabling him to match or outskate the pace of smaller players who are typically expected to be quicker. than someone of his size. Moreover, his proficiency in executing intricate skating maneuvers such as crossovers and power generation is on par with, if not approaching, NHL standards despite his youth.

“It’s not often you find a 6-foot-7, 211-pound defenseman capable of moving like him with his smooth and active skating stride. He seems to always be alert and able to quickly get pucks to his forwards in transition. He can carry the puck and has a great release. His personal skills are still a bit raw, but his ceiling is high. He’s looked so composed in the KHL. He seems to be ready to play in the NHL almost immediately.”

— Jukka-Pekka Vuorinen, NHL Director of European Scouting

Prospect Potential

Silayev is widely viewed as a future top-pairing defenseman with the ability to anchor a shutdown unit. His natural position is on the left, but he has shown he can handle shifts on the right side as well—an asset that enhances his appeal to NHL teams seeking flexibility on the back end. His rare blend of length, skating ability, and defensive IQ has led some scouts to call him a “unicorn”—a once-in-a-decade type of defensive prospect.

While he may not draw the same attention as flashier offensive talents in this class, his defensive consistency, reach, and physical edge make him an invaluable foundational piece for any roster.

Areas of Improvement

While he may need to enhance his decision-making skills, his untapped potential is quite significant. By refining his scoring ability, he could evolve into a formidable threat on both offensive and defensive fronts. He is sometimes guilty of opting for a conservative approach and the underlying concern lies in the repetitive nature of these cautious actions, rendering a player like him as being considered predictable. Making a pass along the boards poses the risk of interception, whereas repeatedly transferring the puck to a defensive partner can hinder successful breakouts if they are compelled to retreat, needlessly extending defensive zone occupancy. A lot of this is due to a lack of experience, so one can argue that this is definitely an area he can improve upon.

Final Thoughts

Silayev embodies all of the attributes essential for excelling as a top-tier shutdown defenseman in the NHL. However, a notable concern pertains to Silayev’s existing contractual obligations with his KHL team, which extend until through the 2025–26 season. Consequently, his debut in the NHL is not anticipated until the 2026–27 season for this reason. Given Silayev’s impressive performance in the KHL, it appears unlikely that his current team would willingly release him to transition to the NHL. This consideration may significantly influence the decision-making process of any NHL team as they strategize their draft selections. However, if you are a team looking for a top-tier defensemen and are looking to have a solid player on your roster, then some additional experience under his skates with the KHL, may make Silayev well worth waiting for.

ITR 44: We Have A Champion…Again – Inside The Rink

Join Chris and Conrad as they break down the Florida Panthers winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, Trevor Zegras traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, the AHL Calder Cup winning Abbotsford Canucks, and the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft!

1. ITR 44: We Have A Champion…Again 56:17
2. ITR 43: It's Winning Time 39:10
3. ITR 42: Ripe For Repeat? 29:05
4. ITR 41: Stanley Cup Final – The Rematch 46:47
5. ITR 40: Headed For A Repeat? 32:22