Sources: Flyers and RFA Noah Cates likely going to arbitration
There were not a lot of positives to draw from the Philadelphia Flyers’ 2024-25 campaign, but among them was the rebound season of centerman Noah Cates. After scoring just six goals in 59 games a year ago, he had a career-high 16 goals in 79 games this past season while averaging his best point per game rate in his three-year (and change) NHL career. Finishing with 37 points (one shy of his career high from his rookie season), Cates spent the lion’s share of 2024-25 centering the Flyers’ most consistent line alongside Bobby Brink and Tyson Foerster.
Cates is set to become an RFA this summer (along with Foerster and defenseman Cam York). As arguably the team’s most reliable center on an otherwise very shallow roster down the middle, there was reason to believe Cates could be in line for a significant contract extension; more so in the way of term, rather than money. But as of now, there doesn’t seem to be imminent plans for a longer term extension for Cates – in fact, it appears that arbitration is the most likely destination as of this point.
According to a team source, Cates is said to not be interested in a long term deal at this time and is planning to bet on himself on a one year contract that would be awarded via arbitration. With the salary cap set to skyrocket over the next several seasons to well north of $100 million, the two sides don’t seem to be in lockstep with what the player’s value is on a long term deal. According to the source, the team views Cates’ value in the $3.5 million AAV range on a four- to six-year contract.
Checking in with the player’s camp, staying long term with the Flyers may not be good for Cates if the two sides can’t find common ground on a contract value. This is not to say the player wants out or that there is any animosity between the two sides, but there is a clear gap in perception of what a fair long-term contract should look like. A one-year deal would walk Cates to unrestricted free agency in 2026; if Cates builds off this past season and takes another step, he could look for a relatively big pay day as a UFA.
I do think the player would be willing to commit to the Flyers long term, but it would come at a price tag higher than the team is comfortable with at this time. Speaking with executives across the league, it is getting tougher to get contracts done with the rising salary cap. Agents keep alluding to the rising ceiling as a reason to lock players up long term right now with heftier than usual AAVs, but as one team executive said to me, “Not everyone is going to get paid.”
Cates does plug a very important role for the Flyers right now as a de facto top-six center on a team that is depleted down the middle of the ice, but that may not be the case in a few years’ time. The club expects 2024 first round pick Jett Luchanko to be a top-nine (if not top-six) pivot within the next year or so and has three first-round picks in the upcoming NHL Draft to further address the organizational need to bolster that position. With Cates likely being a third-line center on a Stanley Cup contender, locking him into a big dollar contract when the team isn’t close to competing for a championship may not be wise for the Flyers to do at this time – especially when they may have many more reinforcements with higher ceilings in the coming years.
Cates, 26, was drafted in the fifth round by the Flyers in 2017. He is coming off of a two year, $5.25 million contract he signed with the Flyers in July of 2023.
Flames looking to bridge Connor Zary
Another team with some house cleaning to do in the way of RFAs is the Calgary Flames, and after signing Matt Coronato to a seven year, $45.5 million contract last week, forward Connor Zary is the most significant name in need of a new contract for GM Craig Conroy.
According to a team source, the Flames’ preference is a bridge contract for the 2020 24th overall pick. Coming off of a relatively underwhelming 27 points in 54 games, there is still uncertainty whether Zary is going to be a center at the NHL level. There is also internal concern over all the injuries that Zary has dealt with, making more sense for the team to avoid a long term commitment. According to the source, a three year contract in the $3 million range (similar to that of Alex Newhook with the Montreal Canadiens) is what the team could be looking for.
Aside from Zary, defenseman Kevin Bahl and forward Morgan Frost are set to become RFAs. I’m not sure which way the wind is blowing with either player’s next contract, but I did hear that Conroy met with the latter’s agent, Darren Ferris, in Texas over the U18 World Championship a few weeks back. The two sides did not dig in on specifics, but I’m told that the player’s camp was said to be “reasonable” as to what Frost’s next contract could look like.
Frost, who will turn 26 in a week’s time, was acquired from the Flyers (along with Joel Farabee) a few months ago. He is coming off a two year contract that carried a $2.1 million AAV.
_____
Recently by Anthony Di Marco
- What are the priorities on Devils’ summer shopping list?
- Why the Predators are optimistic about a turnaround in 2025-26
- After another year of disappointment, where do the Red Wings go from here?
- Can a Canadian NHL team finally win the Stanley Cup this year?