The Ottawa Senators' 2020 NHL Draft class is proving to be the gift that keeps on giving—right down to the very last pick.
Let's start with the headline grabbers. At No. 3 overall, the Sens landed Tim Stützle, who has already racked up 409 points in 447 games, placing him seventh in franchise history. At No. 5, they snagged Jake Sanderson, now one of the NHL's premier defensemen. Together, these two represent arguably the best 1-2 punch from any single draft class.
But Ottawa didn't stop there. With their third first-round pick, they selected Ridly Greig, a feisty forward who has become a vital part of the team's middle six. In the second round, they added physical defenseman Tyler Kleven at 44th overall. And in the third round, they found goaltender Leevi Meriläinen, who may have single-handedly saved the Sens' playoff hopes last season.
Yet perhaps the most remarkable story comes from the very end of the draft. With pick No. 181—the final selection—Ottawa chose Cole Reinhardt, a forward from the Brandon Wheat Kings who had been Greig's teammate. Reinhardt was a couple years older than Greig but posted similar offensive numbers during their final junior season together.
Fast forward to this season, and Reinhardt has finally cracked NHL regular status after five years in Ottawa's farm system. He appeared in 59 games this year, splitting time between Vegas and Florida—a welcome change from his last five winters in Belleville. Last season, he played 17 games for Ottawa in a fourth-line role, recording two points. But his skating and willingness to mix it up made him noticeable, reminiscent of pesky Parker Kelly in his early days with the organization.
As a Group 6 free agent, Reinhardt was likely growing tired of the AHL grind. Now, he's living proof that even the last pick in a draft can become an NHL regular. For fans of the game—and fans of great scouting—that's a story worth celebrating.
