Ottawa Senators’ 2020 Draft Produces Another NHL Regular in Cole Reinhardt

The Senators’ 2020 NHL Draft continues to yield impressive results, showcasing the team’s ability to identify talent. This draft is particularly notable for Ottawa, as it featured the most lucrative first round in franchise history. With the third overall pick, they selected Tim Stützle, who has quickly established himself as a franchise cornerstone, amassing 409 points in 447 games, ranking him seventh in franchise history. At fifth overall, they secured Jake Sanderson, who has emerged as one of the NHL’s premier defensemen.

Not content with just those two picks, Ottawa struck gold again with their third first-round selection, choosing forward Ridly Greig. Greig has developed into a crucial component of the Senators’ middle six, bringing a competitive edge that every team covets. In the second round, they added a highly physical defenseman, Tyler Kleven, at 44th overall, and in the third, they drafted goalie Leevi Meriläinen, who played a pivotal role in keeping the Senators’ playoff hopes alive last season.

Even with their final pick at 181st overall, Ottawa’s scouting staff showcased their prowess by selecting Cole Reinhardt, a teammate of Greig’s from the Brandon Wheat Kings. Reinhardt, older than Greig, posted similar offensive numbers during their last junior season together. This season, after five years in Ottawa’s farm system, Reinhardt has transitioned into regular NHL duty, participating in 59 games.

Reinhardt’s journey has taken him through both Vegas and Florida, where he found a warmer climate compared to his previous winters in Belleville. Last season, he appeared in 17 games for Ottawa, primarily in a fourth-line role, where he managed to score two points and stood out for his skating and willingness to engage, reminiscent of Parker Kelly’s early days with the organization.

As a Group 6 free agent, Reinhardt sought a change from the AHL and signed a two-year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. He played 44 games there, recording seven points, before being claimed off waivers by the Florida Panthers. Upon joining the Panthers, Reinhardt found himself alongside Donovan Sebrango, a familiar face from their time in Belleville, who was also claimed off waivers this season.

Reinhardt’s stint with the Panthers has been productive; he notched eight points in 15 games, contributing positively to the team. Although his output isn’t on par with fellow teammate Sam Reinhart, his points-per-game pace, combined with another year left on his contract, positions Cole favorably for next season.

Interestingly, both Cole and Sam share the nickname ‘Reino.’ However, Cole humorously suggested he might lean into his alternate nickname, ‘Cowboy,’ to avoid confusion, a nod to his upbringing on a Calgary ranch and his fondness for the Yellowstone TV series.

Reflecting on the Senators’ 2020 draft, it is clear that it was a significant success, sitting prominently on former GM Pierre Dorion’s resume. Fans continue to celebrate this draft, particularly for the foundational players it provided in Stützle and Sanderson. However, even six years later, the potential of lower-ranked selections like Reinhardt is still unfolding, proving the depth of that remarkable draft class.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.