Noah Cates

Cates strung together the most rounded year of his career, suiting up for all 82 regular-season games and posting 18 goals and 29 assists in a defensively trusted middle-six role for the Flyers. The 27-year-old added 102 hits, 51 blocked shots and a plus-26 rating, giving deeper-league managers a quietly useful multi-category line. The power-play work remains light at nine points with the man advantage, capping his upside. Cates is the kind of center coaches lean on against tough matchups, and Philadelphia's playoff return suggests his usage isn't going anywhere. Project another 40-to-45-point campaign with strong peripherals for 2026-27. He's a late-round flier in standard leagues and a more interesting target in formats that reward hits, blocks and plus-minus. Read Past Outlooks