The Philadelphia Flyers have signed forward Noah Cates to a 4 year, $16M contract extension which will carry an AAV of $4M per season the club announced.
Originally drafted by the Flyers in the 5th round (137th overall) back in 2017, the 26 year year old has appeared in 235 career NHL contests, scoring 40 goals and adding 62 assists along the way. A versatile, two-way forward, Cates ranked 2nd on the team in terms of +/- this past season at +3, and ranked 5th in goals scored with 16.
Cates is coming off a 2 year, $5.25M ($2.625M AAV) contract, making his new pact a sizeable pay raise. Standing 6’2″, and weighing 194lbs, Cates isn’t the flashiest of forwards on the Flyers roster, but he’s shown that he can be relied on in a variety of situations over the course of his tenure in Philadelphia.
Evidently the progress he’s shown year over year since breaking into the NHL in 2021-22 was enough for Flyers GM Danny Briere to commit to the Stillwater, MN native long term. New Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet will likely deploy Cates up and down the lineup in an effort to turn around the team’s leaky defensive zone play.
Only 5 teams had a worse goal differential in the NHL last season that Philadelphia, as the club also gave up the 5th most goals against in 2024-25. With the team finishing dead last in the Metropolitan Division at 33-39-10, Tocchet & Co. will have their hands full this offseason as they attempt to turn the club around.
Having the 6th overall pick in this summer’s 2025 NHL Entry Draft however will help to replenish the prospect cupboard in Philadelphia with another blue chip addition.
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