On Friday, Nov. 13, the New Jersey Devils announced that defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic has been placed on injured reserve. In a corresponding move, the club recalled defenseman Anton Silayev from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Utica Comets.
Kovacevic sustained the injury during Tuesday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets on Nov. 10, logging just 7:25 of ice time but managing to record an assist before exiting. The Devils stated postgame that he would undergo imaging to evaluate the severity, and head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated Thursday that a clearer timeline would be available Friday. The move to injured reserve suggests Kovacevic will miss more than a few games—a significant blow for a blue line where he has played a major role this season.
Compounding the defensive depth concerns, Brett Pesce was a late scratch due to illness for Thursday’s contest. With only five healthy defensemen available, the Devils recalled Vladislav Kolyachonok from Utica. Making his first NHL appearance since December 2023, Kolyachonok delivered a strong performance on the third pairing alongside Brenden Dillon and netted his first goal in a Devils sweater.
Silayev’s recall appears precautionary at this stage. Selected 10th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-7 blueliner spent the previous two seasons developing in the KHL in his native Russia. In his first North American campaign, he has tallied four assists through 12 games with the Comets while showcasing a physical playing style that could be valuable against a heavy opponent like the Washington Capitals.
Silayev and Kolyachonok form Utica’s top defensive pairing. While Kolyachonok skated with Dillon on Thursday, it remains to be seen whether Keefe will reunite the Comets duo for Saturday’s rematch. Regardless, Silayev appears poised to make his NHL debut in the near future.
The Devils conclude their home-and-home series against the Capitals on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
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-(1).jpeg?w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "Yash Thakur makes ODI debut in Mount Maunganui as India’s 267th player in the format")
