Flyers lock up Noah Cates on a 4-year deal

Drew Smith
June 3, 2025
Flyers
0 Comments

The Flyers officially re-signed Noah Cates to a four-year extension on Tuesday. The deal comes in at $4 million AAV and locks up one of the Flyers’ most consistent middle-six forwards through the heart of the rebuild.

Flyers lock up Noah Cates on a 4-year deal

BREAKING: We have signed forward @cates_noah to a four-year contract extension worth an annual average value (AAV) of $4 million. #LetsGoFlyers
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) June 3, 2025

Cates, 26, is coming off a solid year where he put up 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists) in 78 games. He ranked seventh on the team in points and was fifth in goals. He also finished second on the team in plus-minus at +3.

Cates gives the Flyers a reliable two-way centerman who plays tough matchups and handles a lot of the dirty work that doesn’t show up on the score sheet.

The Flyers originally drafted Cates in the fifth round back in 2017. He’s now appeared in 235 career NHL games, all in orange and black, with 102 points (40 goals, 62 assists).

Before the NHL, Cates had a standout four-year career at Minnesota Duluth. He helped the Bulldogs win a national title in 2019, captained the team as an upperclassman, and racked up nearly 100 points in college. He also represented Team USA at both the World Juniors and the 2022 Olympics, wearing an “A” at the Games in Beijing.

Noah Cates isn’t an overpay. Stop it.

At first glance, $4 million a year for a guy in that 35-40 point range might seem like a bit of an overpay. But in context, it makes a lot of sense. Cates is a glue guy. He plays the matchups, checks, kills penalties, wins board battles. He’s a player every competitive roster needs.

Plus, the cap is about to take a major jump. In two or three years, this contract will look more like a $3 million deal in terms of roster-building value. If the Flyers stay on track with the rebuild, having a steady 3C locked in on a value contract when they’re ready to contend is a win.

Works for me, mate.

Flyers need high-end talent, yes. But they also need guys who can handle tough minutes and contribute on both ends of the ice. Cates does that and now he’ll keep doing it in Philly for four more years. No issue with this one.