The 2020 NHL Draft for the Ottawa Senators was a draft that changed the franchise. From selecting Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson, Ridly Greig, Tyler Kleven and Leevi Merilainen all in the same draft, the Senators hit on some talented players.
The last pick the Senators made in the 2020 NHL Draft was on Cole Reinhardt, who was selected with the 181st overall pick. Since being drafted, Reinhardt has only played in 19 career NHL games.
This past season, Reinhardt recorded two points in 17 NHL games played in Ottawa. Reinhardt last played an NHL game in February. However, after being sent down to the AHL to play with the Belleville Senators, Reinhardt showed progress and took a big step forward to cap off the season.
Reinhardt had solid 2024-25 season in Belleville
Rough stretches were potentially putting Reinhardt's future with the Senators in question. However, another steady season in Belleville showed that the 25-year-old Calgary native still has potential.
As the 2024-25 season concluded, Reinhardt finished with 32 points in 45 games with Belleville. Reinhardt improved his AHL play from the 2023-24 season with recording nine more points.
Reinhardt's 14 goals was the highest in an AHL season since the 2021-22 season, and his 32 points was the sixth most among the Belleville roster for a player who didn't play in all 72 games. Another positive stat Reinhardt had on the season was his +10 rating was not only the second highest on Belleville, but the highest in his AHL career in a season.
Reinhardt last played an NHL game in Ottawa on Feb. 22. When Reinhardt had a chance to get his confidence back in Belleville, he took advantage and showed progress. In 25 AHL games after last playing in the NHL, Reinhardt recorded 12 points. Reinhardt saw some solid stretches during that span.
In the first three games Reinhardt played in after being sent down to the AHL, Reinhardt recorded one point in each game. Reinhardt recorded a multi-game point streak on three different occasions. Reinhardt finished the season with a two-point game against the Laval Rocket on April 19.
Potential is still there for Reinhardt. This past season with showing improvement can be a big step forward into next season.