The 2020 NHL Draft was a solid one for the Ottawa Senators. To drafting Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson and Ridly Greig all in the first round, to then drafting Tyler Kleven in the second round, and then drafting Leevi Merilainen in the third round.
Ottawa's 2020 draft helped build the franchise into a contender in 2025 with making the playoffs for the first time since 2017. However, the final draft pick the Senators made in the 2020 draft was Cole Reinhardt with the 181st overall pick. Reinhardt barely got playing time as a Senator and spent majority of his time in the AHL with the Belleville Senators.
On July 1, it was announced that Reinhardt would be moving on from the Senators. Although no team was announced at the time that he would be moving on to play with, Reinhardt would sign a two-year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights, and he will be eager for a fresh start to prove the Senators wrong for the little playing time.
Reinhardt eager for new start with Golden Knights organization
Since being drafted in 2020, Reinhardt has only played in 18 NHL games. In the 2024-25 season, Reinhardt recorded just two points in 17 NHL games.
Despite NHL struggles, Reinhardt was one of Belleville's most important and best players in 2024-25, and he finished the season strong with recording 32 points in 45 games.
Reinhardt can bring his confidence and momentum from finishing the 2024-25 season in Belleville to Vegas for the 2025-26 season. Reinhardt's 18 goals were a new career-high for an AHL season, and his 32 points were the sixth-highest on the roster despite not playing in 27 of Belleville's games. Reinhardt's +10 rating was also the second-highest on Belleville's roster
Potential is still there for the 25-year-old forward to get more NHL playing time. It can be tough for Reinhardt to get more NHL experience due to Vegas being a deep and talented team up front. It could be possible Reinhardt spends a majority of the 2025-26 season in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights.
However, with the recent season Reinhardt had in Belleville, confidence is back in his game. Reinhardt will be eager to prove the Senators wrong that they should've given him more NHL playing time.