Devils expected – The New Jersey Devils are expected to sign defenseman Anton Silayev to an entry-level contract after he completes his third KHL season with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, adding another high pick to their prospect pipeline.
When Anton Silayev’s third KHL season winds down, the New Jersey Devils are expected to move quickly to bring him into the organization.
Silayev is projected to sign his entry-level contract after completing the season in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Selected 10th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. the 6-foot-7 defenseman is expected to become the final player taken within the top 15 of that draft class to sign an NHL entry-level deal.
In recent years. Silayev has built a reputation in Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod’s system through heavy usage and steady progression. including stretches where his age didn’t stop the coaching staff from trusting him in important moments. He spent the last several years developing in the Torpedo organization. emerging as one of the most heavily used young defensemen in Russian hockey.
His first major signal came during the 2022-23 season with Chaika Nizhny Novgorod, Torpedo’s junior affiliate. Playing in the Russian Junior Hockey League (MHL), Silayev recorded eight points in 41 games and helped the club win a league championship.
That performance earned him a full-time KHL opportunity during the 2023-24 campaign. At just 17 years old, he secured a roster spot with Torpedo and quickly made an impact. He became the youngest goal scorer in franchise history and finished September with six points in 12 games. averaging more than 17 minutes of ice time per contest. His early run earned him KHL Rookie of the Month honors.
By the end of that season, Silayev recorded 11 points in 63 games. Those numbers came with league-leading marks: he set league records for points by an under-18 player. points by an under-19 defenseman. and games played by an under-18 defenseman. He also led Torpedo with 98 hits and received a nomination for KHL Rookie of the Year. In five playoff games, he collected two assists, and in the MHL postseason he added three assists in 10 contests.
He followed that with more time in top-tier competition during the 2024-25 season. Silayev recorded 12 points in 63 KHL games. He also added two points in 17 VHL playoff games while helping Torpedo’s minor-league affiliate win a championship.
The most recent season brought a different kind of message. In 2025-26, Silayev’s offensive production declined as he managed three points in 61 KHL games. After Torpedo’s playoff exit, he still contributed two points in four junior playoff games.
Even with that drop at the scoresheet. Silayev’s development has kept moving forward in the areas New Jersey will be watching closely. While his scoring has fluctuated. he has continued refining his defensive game and puck-moving abilities—qualities that tend to decide whether a young defenseman can earn trust in transition from prospect to everyday player.
With the expected NHL contract, Silayev could compete for a role in New Jersey’s organization as early as the 2026-27 season. The path back to the NHL is expected to run through development and evaluation, either in the AHL or during Devils training camp.
New Jersey Devils Anton Silayev KHL Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod entry-level contract 2024 NHL Draft AHL NHL prospects
Devils about to get another Russian rocket? hockey is wild.
So he’s 6-foot-7 and they use him like crazy, cool. But if he’s so good why wasn’t he already in the NHL like last season??
Replying to the “entry-level deal” part… doesn’t “entry-level” mean he can’t play much though? Like they’ll bench him a ton until he learns “the system” or whatever. Also Devils and KHL stuff always sounds similar but I can’t tell if it’s the same league or different names.
I’m confused because the article says third KHL season winds down, but then it mentions 2022-23 with the junior affiliate and 2023-24 with Torpedo at 17. So is he still 17?? And “final player taken within the top 15” sounds like they’re late to the party or something. Hopefully this doesn’t flop because New Jersey always talks up prospects and then injuries happen.