Philadelphia Flyers forward Noah Cates is taking a proactive approach to his offseason, focusing on physical enhancements to elevate his game for the upcoming NHL season. Following exit interviews, Cates identified key areas for improvement, stating, “I think just getting bigger, faster, and a little quicker,” are crucial steps he needs to take. This dedication to self-improvement was evident in his performance towards the end of the season, where he tallied three goals and two assists in the final seven games.
“There was a bit of an identity crisis with wanting to be offensive, and build off a good year last year,” Cates admitted during exit interviews.
This “identity crisis” stemmed from a desire to build upon his offensive capabilities after a promising previous year. However, Cates recognized the importance of his defensive game, stating, “I think I needed to build off of it even more defensively than offensively. I think it was a great learning experience this year for me, and for the team kind of where we were at. You can’t stray too far from what you are. Obviously, I want to build on myself offensively, but at the end of the day defense leads to offense. For me personally, that’s especially true.” This self-awareness and commitment to his defensive strengths highlight a mature perspective for the young player.
Noah Cates of the Philadelphia Flyers in action during a game
Despite facing challenges and what he described as a “confidence stuff, and some injuries,” Cates showed resilience. His late-season surge mirrored the confident and poised play reminiscent of his rookie year, where he drew comparisons to seasoned veteran Sean Couturier. However, Cates remains his own toughest critic, consistently pushing for higher standards.
“Just kind of an identity crisis and then some confidence stuff, and some injuries. Definitely just a year I’ll look back on, and I think it will help propel me to even higher levels just because of what I went through,” Cates reflected.
One of Cates’ most valuable, yet often unnoticed, skills is his ability to disrupt opponents in the neutral zone. He effectively creates turnovers by pressuring players and closing gaps, a skill honed during his collegiate career. This talent for generating odd-man rushes from defensive plays underscores his potential to be a key contributor for the Flyers.
While averaging 13:47 of ice time and recording six goals and 12 assists in 59 games, Cates’ overall season stats didn’t fully reflect his capabilities, particularly when compared to his impactful rookie season. A broken foot early in the season further hampered his ability to find consistency. However, his underlying talent, especially his strong skating ability, remains undeniable. Cates’ improved performance at the season’s end provides a positive momentum heading into the offseason, suggesting he is poised to bounce back stronger and more impactful next season.
