Noah Cates has had an excellent start to 2025-26 for the Flyers. It’s that level of play that might make Sean Couturier’s long-term deal a bit easier to swallow over time.
Nov 6, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Philadelphia Flyers left wing Noah Cates (27) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn ImagesWhen Sean Couturier signed his eight-year, $62 million dollar deal on Aug. 21, 2021, Chuck Fletcher was the Flyers general manager and Alain Vigneault was the head coach. That same summer, Noah Cates was entering his fourth and final year of U.S. college hockey at the…