Making a positional switch from left wing to center, Cates enjoyed an outstanding first full season in the NHL in 2022-23. He played excellent two-way hockey on the way to earn some consideration for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year (ninth place including one second-place vote, seven fourth-place votes and 12 fifth-place votes).
Cates also received votes for the 2022-23 Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward (15th place including one second-place, one third-place, one fourth-place and four fifth-place votes). In reality, at least according to underlying defensive metrics, Cates was an elite defensive forward last season and deserved higher placement in the PHWA vote for the award.
From an offensive standpoint, Cates needed time to adjust to the positional change. Through the season's first 11 games, he had only one point (1g, 0a) and a mere five shots on goal. At the 41-game mark, Cates had 17 points (5g, 12 assists).
Over the second half of last season, Cates settled in offensively. He chipped in an additional eight goals.13 assists and 21 points to finish his rookie season with 13 goals, 25 assists, 38 points and a traditional plus-three rating. Overall, Cates ranked sixth in scoring among NHL rookies last season.
Now, Cates is looking forward to bigger and better things amid the Flyers' ongoing rebuild. A healthy return by Sean Couturier would be extremely helpful in freeing up Cates for more offensive zone deployments.
When the new contract expires in the summer of 2025, Cates will once again be an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent. He'll be one season away from potentially becoming an unrestricted free agent
In the immediate future, the Flyers saved a bit on salary cap hit over the next two years compared to what a longer-term deal that preempted unrestricted free agency in three years would have cost cap-wise. Additionally, a two-year deal is preferable to a three-year term from the Flyers side because the latter arrangement would have walked Cates directly to being a UFA come July 1, 2026.
From Cates' perspective, the two-year term is a bet on himself. In two seasons, he may have the opportunity to make significantly more money in his next contract negotiation compared to what he'd have earned via longer-term deal now.
Thus, the two-deal deal was a good fit for both sides. It will also give a year of wiggle room come the summer of 2025 to negotiate an extension to preempt UFA status.
