New Jersey Devils make first round of cuts, Anton Silaev and Lenni Hameenaho among them

The New Jersey Devils executed their first major round of training camp roster cuts on Friday, assigning a group of players to the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League. Among the assigned players were top prospects Anton Silaev and Lenni Hämeenaho as the team prepared for its final preseason contest.

Silaev, selected 10th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, is entering his first North American season following two years in the KHL with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Hämeenaho, who skated in 33 NHL games last season, was also reassigned to Utica despite previously drawing praise from Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe.