Flyers’ Offseason Depends on Re-signing Key Forward
With a new head coach in place, the Philadelphia Flyers can now focus on the next steps in their offseason: determining which players to re-sign and which ones to part ways with. While Cam York and Tyson Foerster are top priorities ahead of becoming restricted free agents (RFAs), another key RFA the team needs to address is Noah Cates.
Although it’s uncommon for teams to poach players from others via the RFA route, the Flyers have a few players who could potentially attract interest. York, a young defenseman and former first-round pick, has shown flashes of greatness but has been inconsistent. Foerster, a dynamic forward with a knack for scoring, could also draw attention or serve as trade bait. Cates, however, presents a different situation.
Cates was initially seen as a depth forward on a last-place team. Under head coach John Tortorella, Cates moved from a bottom-line player to filling various roles, largely due to injuries. His impressive rookie season led to comparisons with Sean Couturier. However, his second season was hindered by injuries, and his production dropped significantly, from 13 goals and 38 points to just 6 goals and 18 points. This past season, Cates bounced back, setting a career high with 16 goals and just one point shy of matching his rookie total.
A versatile player, Cates has been used on all four lines, offering solid defensive play while also contributing offensively when needed. He’s also upped his physicality, setting a career high of 87 hits last season. His popularity in the locker room adds further value.
Why the Flyers Should Extend Him
Cates’ versatility is a huge asset, as he can play both center and left wing. With the team lacking quality centers—especially after trading away Scott Laughton—Cates, now 26, could be a key piece for the future if extended under the right circumstances and at the right price.
Cates earned $2.625 million last season, but he will likely seek a pay raise, possibly in the $3 million range. The question is whether the Flyers believe he’s worth that increase. According to Anthony DiMarco, Cates is leaning toward arbitration, preferring a one-year deal that would allow him to test the market next year for a potentially larger payday. The risk for Cates is that if he struggles with injuries or inconsistency, he might not secure the contract he hopes for.
Cates is a valuable asset for the Flyers. A three-year contract worth $9-10 million ($3-3.33 million annually) would be a reasonable investment for a player of his caliber. If he exceeds expectations, the team could offer him an extension; if not, he could be traded.
Cates’ Re-signing Shapes the Rest of the Offseason
How the Flyers handle Cates’ re-signing will have a significant impact on the rest of their offseason. If they extend him, they would only need to focus on acquiring one center. Without him, they might need to look for two, or they may have to decide whether Jett Luchanko could make the jump to the NHL full-time. Additionally, Cates’ role on the team would affect the Flyers’ search for complementary players and what type of free agents they pursue.
If the team opts for arbitration with Cates, it could signal a lack of faith in his long-term role, potentially sending the wrong message to both Cates and other free agents. The decision to go to arbitration will carry significant weight for the Flyers’ offseason plans.
Out of the three key RFAs (York, Foerster, and Cates), Cates is the most critical. Once the Flyers resolve his situation, they can move forward with the rest of their offseason plans.
Leave a Reply