Metropolitan Notes: Shabanov, Gill, Boilard
Russian center Maxim Shabanov’s KHL contract expired at the end of May, making him an unrestricted free agent. Several NHL teams have shown interest and it looks like his search for a new club could be nearing the finish line. Sport-Express’ Igor Eronko reports that the Flyers are expected to sign the 24-year-old although Kevin Kurz of The Athletic relays (Twitter link) that nothing is done yet although the team is hopeful that they’ll land him. Shabanov finished third this season in KHL scoring with 23 goals and 44 assists in 65 games and followed that up by finishing second in playoff points with 10 goals and 10 helpers in 21 contests. Regardless of whether he signs with Philadelphia or another team, Shabanov will be capped at signing a one-year, entry-level contract.
More from the Metropolitan:
- Still with the Flyers, prospect Spencer Gill is on the move in the QMJHL as the league announced (Twitter link) that the defenseman has been traded from Rimouski to Blainville-Boisbriand. The 18-year-old was a second-round pick last June, going 59th overall after a solid showing with the Oceanic that saw him notch 46 points in 65 games. Injuries limited Gill to just 51 games this season where he had six goals and 29 assists. He has one more year of playing in major junior before he can begin playing in the pros for the 2026-27 campaign; he has already signed his entry-level contract.
- Rangers prospect Raoul Boilard will be suiting up for a different team in the QMJHL next season. The league announced (Twitter link) that the center was dealt from Baie-Comeau to Shawinigan. Boilard, a fourth-round selection last year (119th overall), saw his output drop compared to his draft year as he notched 12 goals and 34 assists in 53 games after putting up 22 goals and 40 helpers the year before, one that he was able to stay healthy in as he played in all 68 games in 2023-24. Next season will be a big one for Boilard as New York has not yet signed him to a contract.
Flyers Sign Spencer Gill To Entry-Level Contract
The Philadelphia Flyers announced they have signed defenseman Spencer Gill to a three-year entry-level contract. Gill played in the Flyers’ development, rookie, and main training camp this summer after being selected by the team with the 59th overall pick of the 2024 NHL Draft.
Gill only managed one preseason contest for the Flyers before being returned to his junior team, the QMJHL’s Rimouski Océanic a few days ago. He accrued the third-highest ice time for all Philadelphia defensemen in their game against the Washington Capitals and blocked two shots.
He’s a solid two-way defenseman combining physicality and puck mobility from the blue line. He finished last season with 12 goals and 46 points for the Océanic in 65 contests with another five assists in five playoff contests. The Flyers will be looking for Gill to expand his offensive output from the 2023-24 QMJHL season and become more mature after earning 62 PIMs.
There is a strong possibility Gill will join Canada’s U20 team for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships after playing for the country’s U18 team last year. He tallied two assists in seven tournament games, finishing with a -1 rating. Gill skated in nearly 19 minutes of the gold medal game despite staying off the score sheet as Canada defeated the United States to end the tournament.