Story perspectives

Flyers Lose Noah Cates, Recall Luchanko for Game 3

5/7/2026

Summary

Cates Out

The Philadelphia Flyers announced forward Noah Cates will miss the series versus the Hurricanes after an injury in Game 2, an overtime loss.
Cates finished with 18 goals, 47 points and a goal with three assists in the playoffs.
Coach Rick Tocchet gave Denver Barkey centre time and added Carl Grundström and Garnet Hathaway to the penalty kill.
The Flyers recalled Jett Luchanko, who will sit for Game 3 Thursday at 8 p.m. EST.

Summary

Cates Perseveres

Cates' injury occurred midway through the first period of Game 2, yet he finished the match.
Cates ranked fifth in power-play minutes, third on the penalty kill, played all 82 regular-season games, boosting his Selke Trophy prospects.
Couturier led the Flyers in playoff scoring, appearing on all three power-play goals.
With Cates out, veterans Couturier and Dvorak will anchor the penalty kill as younger players reshuffle the power play.

Summary

Jones Pushes Barkey

Flyers president of hockey operations Keith Jones urged coach Rick Tocchet to try rookie Denver Barkey at center.
Denver Barkey, 20, played center for the OHL’s London Knights and was originally projected as a winger.
Philadelphia’s center-depth struggles prompted the push, with staff expecting Denver Barkey to receive more middle-line minutes.
Other potential centers include veteran Luke Glendening, prospect Jacob Gaucher and recalled forward Jett Luchanko.

History

Historical Context

When the Flyers honored Bobby Clarke by retiring his #16 jersey on November 15 1984, the franchise began a pattern of reshaping its roster around a single star center. Clarke finished his 15-year career with 1,210 points in 1,144 games, a benchmark the team still cites. The current center shortage, highlighted by Noah Cates’ injury and rookie Denver Barkey’s start, echoes that historic reliance on limited depth.

1 of 4

Cates Out

The Philadelphia Flyers announced forward Noah Cates will miss the series versus the Hurricanes after an injury in Game 2, an overtime loss.
Cates finished with 18 goals, 47 points and a goal with three assists in the playoffs.
Coach Rick Tocchet gave Denver Barkey centre time and added Carl Grundström and Garnet Hathaway to the penalty kill.
The Flyers recalled Jett Luchanko, who will sit for Game 3 Thursday at 8 p.m. EST.

1 / 4