SALT LAKE CITY – The 2024 NHL Draft is only one day away and Utah’s front office is preparing to make its first selection as a new franchise following its relocation from Arizona.
The NHL Draft will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 28 and 29.
Utah Hockey Club owns 13 picks in the draft, including No. 6 overall in the first round.
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While Boston University’s Macklin Celebrini is projected to go to the San Jose Sharks with the first pick, there is uncertainty with the subsequent selections.
Leading up to the NHL Draft, we’ll dive into some of the top prospects, aside from Celebrini, who might end up on Utah’s roster.
We’ve already looked at Russian forward Ivan Demidov, Michigan State’s Aytyom Leshunov, WHL product Cayden Lindstrom, NTDP left wing Cole Eiserman, and OHL standout Sam Dickinson.
Now we look at Russian defenseman Anton Silayev.
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Silayev is an 18-year-old prospect from Sarov, Russia. He’s considered one of the top defensive players in this year’s draft and projected as a top-five draft pick.
“I love the physical side,” Silayev told NHL.com. “I realize that I have to get stronger, because details of the men’s game are different than junior. In the KHL you can bang bodies and someone can hit back, so you have to be ready for it.”
3 goals, 10 points in 34 games. Is that good?
For 17-year-old defenseman — yes, absolutely. Anton Silayev keeps improving. pic.twitter.com/IqQLrznFkZ
— KHL (@khl_eng) November 25, 2023
In their latest mock draft, NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman and Mike Morreale both have the defenseman out of Utah’s range at No. 6. Each insider projected Silayev as the No. 3 overall pick to the Anaheim Ducks.
Kimelman thinks the Russian defenseman is “one of the most intriguing players in this year’s draft” and a player who has “the potential to be a tremendous complementary piece on a top defense pair.”
17-year-old Anton Silayev hits hard. pic.twitter.com/ts1y7j5tWC
— KHL (@khl_eng) January 13, 2024
In ESPN’s latest mock draft, Rachel Doerrie also has Silayev going No. 3 to the Ducks. Doerrie called Silayev a “raw” talent that requires “lots of patient development” but added he’s a “hulking defenseman, human eraser and excellent skater.”
Both mock drafts think Silayev will be the second defenseman taken after Artyom Levshunov goes No. 2.
17-year-old Anton Silayev is a hitting machine.#GagarinCup pic.twitter.com/6jWq2EyV0c
— KHL (@khl_eng) March 1, 2024
However, if Silayev slides to No. 6, Utah could land a steal in the first round with the talented defenseman.
Date of Birth: April 11, 2006
Height: 6′ 7″
Shoots: Left
League: KHL
Current Team: Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod
Games: 63
Goals: 3
Assists: 8
Points: 11
PIM: 10
The 62nd NHL Draft will be held at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada from June 28-29.
It's officially @NHL Draft week! 🏒#NHLDraft #NHL #UtahHC https://t.co/1CWbFjgqfU
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 23, 2024
The first round order of the draft is set to be the following:
Kyle Ireland is a Utah Hockey Club Insider for KSLSports.com. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
