Silayev has become one of the most talked about prospects in the upcoming draft over the course of this season and it’s not too hard to figure out why. He’s an incredibly mobile and defensively-astute defenseman already eating up minutes on a KHL blue line. This combination of size and mobility allows Silayev to snub out rush attempts effectively while also being able to grind opponents down along the boards. Additionally, his ability to read passing lanes in motion makes him very effective at picking off build-up chances and reversing momentum. On top of this, he performs with the calm and controlled manner of a seasoned vet. He can sometimes fail to make the right pass or can find himself caught in tight situations, but these are to be expected for a young player in a men’s league. Unfortunately, the biggest limiter in Silayev’s game and the one aspect holding him back from being a truly unmatched prospect is his total lack of offensive involvement. Silayev mans the point well as a bumper but does nothing to contribute to the drive or creation of offense. His passes remain simple and mostly lateral, he rarely chooses to carry the puck, and seldom takes risks to create chances. It’s a bit disappointing to see none of them armed in the offensive zone for a player with the weapons that Silayev. Maybe some of this can be chalked up to team structure and/or coaching, but he has displayed nothing that would convince me of some true future offensive potential. Ultimately, Silayev remains one of the top defensemen prospects in the 2024 draft solely based on his defensive acumen and physical advantages. But the many ‘ifs’ and ‘maybes’ around the rest of his game make me hesitant to rank him higher than No. 5.