Is Anton Silayev worth a high draft pick? | 2024 NHL Draft
Throughout the 2023-2024 NHL season, TSLH Prospects shares observation reports and prospect profiles on young players eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft. Similar to the past four seasons, the columnists produce texts on a significant number of prospects to provide a comprehensive overview of the cohort and its progress. Today, the focus is on Anton Silayev, a defenseman playing in the KHL.
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Even though I don’t necessarily agree, I can understand the excitement among observers regarding Anton Silayev. This towering figure, standing at 6 feet 7 inches and weighing 207 pounds, possesses a perfect profile for the NHL with his robust style and elite-level mobility in the 2024 draft class. He can be described as a unicorn, a term increasingly used to depict hockey players with unique or old school characteristics.
Looking at his stats and bio, Silayev is a left-handed defenseman who played the entire season in the KHL with Torpedo, often within the organization’s top 4. While his offensive production impressed many at the beginning of the season, the young player slowed down in November, ending with a total of 11 points in 63 games. While not extraordinary, his season should be viewed positively due to his progression and consistent playing time.
When evaluating Anton Silayev, it’s crucial to keep his potential in mind. What we’ve seen throughout the season is not the finished product but rather a raw diamond yet to be polished. When I mention my reservations about the hype surrounding this prospect, I’m specifically referring to NHL draft predictions rather than the individual’s talent per se.
Many observers see this defenseman being drafted within the top five or even top three picks of the draft. Personally, I don’t see it at all. While I agree with his potential in terms of physicality and defense, I simply don’t believe it’s enough when it comes to offense.
Silayev tends to panic when in possession of the puck. His breakouts from his defensive zone are not smooth. When under pressure, he doesn’t utilize his legs and elite mobility enough to escape trouble. Too often, he hastily gets rid of the puck along the boards or passes it to a teammate, whether they’re open or not. While it’s understandable to avoid turnovers against a forecheck, he doesn’t consistently identify all available options or potential ones if he were to use his skills effectively.
I find his decision-making under pressure ineffective, leading to turnovers. It’s not uncommon for his team to be trapped in their own zone for several minutes due to his poor decisions, whether through a bad pass or ill-timed rush. There has been improvement during the season, but not enough, especially considering his offensive contributions.
In transition and on the attack, he often makes mistakes in finding open spaces and timing plays. This suggests a lack of hockey IQ that puts him behind at times and causes him to miss opportunities to advance the play. I’m not saying Silayev is incapable of participating in attacks, but he frequently gets caught out of position or activate late. However, I appreciate his willingness to attempt plays, and his lack of experience in such a strong league is forgivable. He deserves the benefit of the doubt regarding his IQ.
He’s bold and brimming with confidence, which is desirable in a high-quality prospect, indicating good work ethic and promising potential for improvement. Coupled with his colossal frame and exceptional mobility, it’s understandable why he attracts attention.
Defensively, I appreciate his contribution. His mobility and active stick make him very effective. He’s difficult to bypass on the outside or to be beaten by a deke. He has all the tools to stop you with a poke check, impeccable footwork, or a solid body check.
It becomes more challenging when the opposing team cycles the puck in his territory. This is where reading errors occur, and panic sets in. As a young team, I believe on-ice communication isn’t always at its best. When playing with Bogdan Konyushkov of the Montreal Canadiens, things seem to go well between them, but you can see Anton Silayev occasionally losing track. Trying to cover a large area, he sometimes puts himself in a situation where ultimately nobody is covered. I’d also like to see him be even more aggressive in front of the net to neutralize opponents.
In summary, there’s still a long way to go for this prospect to reach the NHL. Will he be drafted early this summer? Absolutely, his profile is far too attractive for a team to let him slip outside the top 5 to 8 picks. However, I feel his offensive prowess may never truly develop. Thus, personally, I’d refrain from picking him that early. However, outside the top 10, he becomes a prime target without a shadow of a doubt, especially if you know how to develop defensive giants.
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