(Header/feature image courtesy of Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
The Philadelphia Flyers are making sure one of their most reliable forwards remains a part of the future, inking Noah Cates to a four-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $4 million.
Cates, 26, has blossomed into a key piece of the Flyers’ lineup, carving out a reputation as a smart, dependable defensive forward with an offensive touch. Most notably in the past season, he’s anchored the Flyers’ most consistent forward line alongside Bobby Brink and Tyson Foerster—a trio that often sparked the team with its relentless work ethic and intelligent play.
Beyond the scoresheet, Cates has become a steady presence in the Flyers’ locker room. His voice—thoughtful and measured—has grown louder, emerging as part of the team’s young leadership group as the Flyers navigate a transitional phase.
“On the leadership side, I think I grew towards the end of the year and got to be in some [leadership group] meetings and take that next step on that side of the team,” Cates said back in April. “Starting the year where I was and finishing where I’m at, I’m really proud and happy with the season I’ve had."
Drafted in the fifth round in 2017, Cates has become a homegrown success story for Philadelphia—proof that patience in development can pay dividends. Over the past couple of seasons, he’s shown versatility by shifting to center when needed, winning key draws, and providing a stabilizing presence down the middle.
His ability to excel in both ends of the ice—killing penalties, matching up against top lines, and even chipping in on the power play—gives the Flyers’ coaching staff a Swiss Army knife of sorts in the forward group. And now, with a four-year deal in his pocket, Cates can focus on continuing to grow his game and help guide the Flyers into a promising future.
In an era where every dollar matters under the salary cap, $4 million a year for a player like Cates—who contributes at both ends and leads by example—looks like a wise investment.
“I’m not worried about anything," Cates said of contract talks earlier in the year. "After a good season, it feels really good going into the summer very excited for my future and the future of this team. I’m just really happy to be here in the circumstances that I’m in. Where we’re at, I feel very, very fortunate.”
As the Flyers’ rebuild inches forward, keeping players like Noah Cates in the fold is about more than just hockey. It’s about setting the standard for what it means to be a Flyer—hard-working, team-first, and quietly relentless.
For now, Philadelphia fans can rest easy knowing that Cates’ steady, no-nonsense style will be wearing the orange and black for years to come.