Devils Recall Defenseman Anton Silayev From Utica

On Friday, Nov. 13, the New Jersey Devils announced they have placed defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic on injured reserve (IR). In addition, they have recalled defenseman Anton Silayev from the Devils’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Utica Comets.

Kovacevic was injured in the Devils’ game against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, Nov. 10. He had just 7:25 of time on ice, but it was enough time for him to record an assist. The Devils announced after that game that he would undergo imaging to assess the injury. Head coach Sheldon Keefe shared Thursday that he would know more about injury severity today.

Considering the Devils placed Kovacevic on IR, it seems like he will be out of the lineup for more than just a couple of games. He has been a major part of the Devils’ defense this season, so his absence will be a major loss.

On Thursday, Brett Pesce was also out of the lineup due to an illness. With just five defensemen available, the Devils recalled Vladislav Kolyachonok from Utica. This was his first NHL game since Dec. 2025, and he was not only solid on the third pairing, but he also scored his first goal as a Devil.

The Devils recalling Silayev seems precautionary. He was the Devils’ first-round pick, 10th overall, in the 2024 NHL Draft and has spent the last two seasons since he was drafted playing in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), in his home country, Russia.

This season, his first in the Devils’ system, he has played 12 games with the Comets and recorded four assists. He is a 6-foot-7 defenseman who is not afraid to throw the body around. He brings a physical edge the Devils will need, especially against a physical team like the Washington Capitals.

Silayev and Koyachonok make up the top defensive pairing for the Comets. While Kolyachonok played on the third pairing with Brenden Dillon on Thursday, it will be interesting to see if Keefe elects to pair Silayev and Kolyachonok together on Saturday. Either way, Silayev will hopefully be playing in his first NHL game sooner than later.

The Devils have the second half of a home-and-home on Saturday, Nov. 14, when they take on the Capitals at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM ET.