JUST IN: Sabres taking another shocking step to get Cates, Not Laughton From Flyers
As the 2024 NHL trade deadline neared, Scott Laughton of the Philadelphia Flyers emerged as a potential target for the Buffalo Sabres. The speculation gained traction through the insights of Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek, who frequently mentioned Laughton on both the “32 Thoughts: The Podcast” and his daily radio show. Marek’s discussions not only fueled the rumors but also introduced another player, Noah Cates, as a less likely but possible candidate for the Sabres.
The Flyers’ center lineup presented a peculiar scenario throughout the season. Morgan Frost experienced a tumultuous start, often being a healthy scratch, but eventually solidified his role as the team’s top center. In a surprising turn, Sean Couturier, who was named captain mid-season, saw his role diminish from the first-line center to occasionally being scratched and relegated to the fourth line. Additionally, the team’s acquisition of Ryan Johansen in exchange for Sean Walker did not pan out as expected; Johansen was demoted to the AHL, casting doubt on his future in the NHL.
This situation left the Flyers with three defensively focused centers: Laughton, Cates, and Ryan Poehling. With all six centers currently under contract for the next season, the Flyers face a potential logjam at the position, especially if they pursue any offseason acquisitions. The team’s current roster composition and salary cap considerations make Laughton and Cates the most likely candidates for trade or reassignment to create the necessary space.
In summary, while the Sabres’ interest in Laughton was initially speculative, it gained credibility through consistent hints and discussions by Jeff Marek. Concurrently, the Flyers’ complex center situation highlighted the possibility that both Laughton and Cates could be moved to accommodate future team adjustments, making them prime candidates for off-season decisions.
Scott Laughton
Laughton is the type of player who stands out on the ice. He’s physical, shoots frequently, engages in scrums, and draws a notable number of penalties. Along with these attributes, he also contributes playmaking abilities, evidenced by a good number of shot assists.
However, Laughton has struggled in his role as a shutdown center, underperforming in this capacity. His player profile suggests he would be more effective as a complementary bottom-six forward rather than in a primary defensive role.
Looking at impact metrics, Laughton’s 2023-2024 season has been particularly poor. Evolving-Hockey’s RAPM (regularized adjusted plus-minus) chart highlights his negative contributions, showing subpar performance in goals-for, expected goals for and against, and shot attempts for and against.
Additionally, PuckLuck’s new WAR (wins above replacement) metric ranks Laughton as the worst player on the Flyers per 60 minutes. His below-replacement impacts in even-strength defense, powerplay offense, and shorthanded defense have cost his team over three points in the standings based on his usage.
While player performance can vary from season to season, this marks Laughton’s third consecutive year with negative impacts. Trading for Laughton would not only require the Sabres to part with assets but could also hinder their pursuit of a playoff spot due to his recent performance struggles.
Noah Cates
While Cates is deployed similarly to Laughton, he excels as a defensive forward. Unlike Laughton, Cates has an average shot volume and isn’t particularly physical. Instead, he relies on his awareness to manage the defensive zone and transition play up the ice.
Cates’ most comparable players in the league often take on significant roles for their teams. For instance, Connor McMichael is being used as Washington’s top center. Morgan Frost, who is more offensively inclined, also makes the list. Additionally, players like Ilya Mikheyev, Jordan Martinook, and Pius Suter have, at times, complemented their teams’ top players.
Cates’ impact metrics starkly contrast with Laughton’s. Over the last three seasons, Cates has been the Flyers’ best player according to the WAR (wins above replacement) metric. His penalty killing has been exceptionally good over the past two seasons, and his strong defensive metrics make him reliable at even strength. The only area where Cates has been a liability is the powerplay.
Sabres Fit
The Sabres are in the market for a third-line center, and Cates could be a fitting candidate to take on this role, especially when matched against top competition. Since the powerplay positions are already covered by current roster players, there’s no need to place Cates in a role that doesn’t suit his strengths.
This move would allow Buffalo to free Dylan Cozens from defensive duties against top offensive opponents, enabling him to focus more on his offensive game. Cates could potentially center a line with Jordan Greenway and Zach Benson, creating one of the more formidable forechecking and shutdown lines in the NHL.
With one year remaining on his contract at a $2.625 million cap hit, the cost to acquire the 25-year-old Cates is still uncertain. He will become a restricted free agent after next season. Despite not being a prolific scorer, with just 18 points in 59 games last season, it’s plausible that a “B”-level prospect could be enough to initiate trade discussions, considering Cates himself was a fifth-round draft pick.
Engaging with Flyers general manager Daniel Briere to discuss a potential trade for a center is a strategic move for the Sabres. If they can negotiate successfully, Cates should be their primary target.