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Jackson Cates becomes next RFA to re-sign with Flyers

By Ariel Melendez

Feb 12, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Jackson Cates (59) watches the puck during the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Jackson Cates (59) watches the puck during the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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With training camp just over a month away, the Flyers have a few minor details to take care of in regards to their roster depth. Re-signing Jackson Cates was next on their list as the two sides came to terms on a one-year, two-contract. If he makes the team, he will earn $775K in the NHL. Otherwise, Cates will make $120K in the AHL.

Cates signed with the Flyers as an undrafted college free agent in 2021 when he left the University of Minnesota-Duluth and immediately made his NHL debut. He would go on to appear in four games, recording a single assist.

A majority of his past season was spent in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. While in the minors, he posted two goals and 10 points overall in 37 games. Cates did make it back to the NHL for 11 games and would score his first career goal on December 16th, the first game of his call-up. He was recalled when the Flyers put Joel Farabee on injured reserve a few days prior.

Cates had a scary injury on his own when he was back in the AHL later in the year. He was taken into the boards while on a shorthanded rush and had to be taken off on a stretcher during a game in early March. He would not return to the ice for the rest of the season. Presumably healthy now, Cates will be one of many who will be fighting for a spot on the Flyers roster.

Barring an impressive training camp, Cates will almost certainly spent some more time in the AHL and will be used as an injury recall if necessary. Not necessarily known as a scorer while at Minnesota-Duluth, Cates posted 27 goals and 64 points in 96 career collegiate games. He did post a career high 11 goals in his final season.

Burning the first year of his entry-level contract in 2021, Cates only appeared in 15 NHL games during the two year deal. This meant he was classified as a 10.2.c free agent, just like Morgan Frost and Kirill Ustimenko. That simply means that another team cannot offer sheet someone with that designation. So unless a team cannot come to fair terms with players, those ones typically will re-sign with their teams.

Despite not having much leverage, Cates will make about $40K more than his did on his ELC. With this deal done, the Flyers have three RFA’s remaining in Wade Allison, Hayden Hodgson, and Linus Hogberg.

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