Devils News & Rumors: Silayev's North American Debut, Brodeur's Faith in Daws, and More
The New Jersey Devils have been proactive during the offseason under new General Manager Sunny Mehta, addressing team weaknesses and adding depth with scorers, a top-six winger, and a veteran goaltender. The team appears to have the necessary components for a deeper playoff run than in recent seasons.
This update covers Anton Silayev's upcoming debut in North America, Martin Brodeur's belief in Nico Daws as a starting goaltender, and the organization's summer interest in Alexander Smolin.
Anton Silayev's Long-Awaited Debut
Among the Devils' promising young prospects like Seamus Casey, Lenni Hameenaho, Mikhail Yegorov, and Alexander Command, Anton Silayev stands out as the most significant. After spending the last three seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), Silayev is poised to make his North American debut.
Possessing a rare blend of size and mobility, Silayev has the potential to become an elite shutdown defenseman. Although his point production occasionally faltered last season, he contributed two assists in the playoffs for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and was recognized as a 2025-26 KHL All-Star.
Since being selected 10th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, Devils fans have eagerly awaited his arrival. Silayev recently signed a three-year entry-level contract with a $1.075 million cap hit and is expected to join the team for training camp next month. He will either contend for a spot on the Devils' roster or begin the season with the Utica Comets in the American Hockey League (AHL).
Mark Dennehy, the Devils' head scout, expressed confidence in Silayev's development, stating, “You want to bring someone over, especially from Russia, when they have a chance to play at the highest level…He’s ready for that next challenge, which is the biggest one that any prospect makes.”
Brodeur Believes Daws Can Be a Starting Goalie
The Devils' goaltending situation is a key storyline for the upcoming season. Following the trade of Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers, the organization re-signed Nico Daws to a two-year extension and later acquired David Rittich. The team appears set to utilize a three-goalie rotation including Daws, Rittich, and Jake Allen for the 2026-27 season.
Despite the crowded crease, Martin Brodeur believes Daws has the potential to be the team's starting goaltender. The 25-year-old has played only 55 NHL games in his career, with just three appearances for the Devils last season. However, his limited sample size shows promise, including a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild last October and a .939 save percentage in the 2024-25 season.
In a recent interview with The Hockey News, Brodeur emphasized the importance of providing Daws with an opportunity: “You put a lot of stock in drafting goalies, but if you never give them a chance it’s kind of hard to know what you have…So now he’s going to have a chance to show us if he’s a real NHL goalie and I believe he is.”
The decision of who will be the starting goaltender on opening night remains to be seen.
Devils Showed Interest in Alexander Smolin
In other goaltending news, reports indicate the Devils considered overseas options before finalizing their current goalie tandem. Alexander Smolin revealed in an interview with Sport-Express that the Devils expressed interest after his strong performance with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the KHL, where he posted a 23-8-2 record.
Brodeur contacted Smolin over the summer, but the goaltender declined negotiations, opting to continue his career in the KHL. Smolin cited his readiness for the NHL as the primary factor: “You need to rely on your feelings: how you feel, whether you’re ready for the NHL or not. There’s no point in just going in without a clear head.”
Smolin previously attended the New York Rangers’ development camp, which he found to be a valuable experience. He stressed the importance of being mentally and physically prepared before considering a transition to North America. However, should he reconsider, the Devils are likely to remain interested.
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