Spencer Gill is one Philadelphia Flyers prospect who doesn't draw nearly as much fanfare as he should, and that's not his fault.
Gill, 18, is not one to play a flashy game. The 6-foot-4 defenseman is quietly developing into one of the Flyers' best prospects in real time, even if he'll never be the type of player that puts up crazy numbers of points like Quinn Hughes or Cale Makar.
Instead, the 2024 second-round pick has been rounding out his defensive game and overall two-way game, which bodes well for his NHL future.
See, Gill, when he was drafted, was considered more of a project pick due to his large but wiry frame (only 180 pounds) and evident offensive talents. The then-Rimouski Oceanic blueliner was best regarded for his puck skills, mobility, and willingness to activate in the play, but not so much for his defense.
A little unusual for a guy that big, isn't it?
But, when I saw Gill play during rookie camp and training camp last year, he was physical, unrelenting, petulant defensively, and efficient using his stick to disrupt plays.
If and when Gill can tap into and hone his physicality and defensive play, he's a surefire top-four defenseman at the NHL level for the Flyers. And if he can bring 30 to 40 points to the table offensively, maybe a complementary top-pair player as well.
Some were surprised when I ranked Gill ahead of Oliver Bonk, the Flyers' second 2023 first-round pick after Matvei Michkov, in my end-of-season Flyers prospect rankings.
For me, the rationale is simple: I feel Gill is better suited for the role the two defenders will play at the NHL level than Bonk. And that's not to say Bonk won't excel, because he has his own unique skillset.
But, part of Bonk's skillset will, presumably, be erased when he no longer plays the bumper position on the power play.
That's a big reason as to why the 20-year-old went from 24 goals 67 points in 60 games last year to 11 goals and 40 points in 52 games this year.
It remains to be seen if the Flyers or Lehigh Valley Phantoms allow Bonk to reprise that role, but if not, he's likely to be a second- or third-pairing defenseman with some offensive upside and the potential to fill in higher in the lineup if and when needed.
Gill, on the other hand, is bigger, more athletic, and has produced at roughly the same level despite not having a featured power play role on one of the best teams in the entire CHL.
Now, the 18-year-old will head into what will be his last season in the QMJHL with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, the team to which he was only recently traded to, playing alongside top 2025 draft picks Bill Zonnon, Justin Carbonneau, and Arseni Radkov.
And, after suffering a broken ankle last season, Gill is beginning to create some momentum for himself leading into the new season.
In the Canada Red vs. Canada White intra-squad scrimmage at the World Junior Summer Showcase, Gill scored a nice long-range goal, taking a D-to-D pass, walking the line neatly, and firing a screened shot into the top right corner from the point.
Manipulating shooting lanes and getting shots in through them are skills that will translate to the NHL level, especially with how the Flyers have liked to play in recent years.
Spencer Gill is a way better prospect than you think, and soon, you'll be hearing his name from the Flyers as a candidate to make the NHL roster.
