Have you ever worked so hard for something in your life that you craved the rewards afterwards? That's the case for Cole Reinhardt, who made the Opening Night roster for the Vegas Golden Knights. Kelly McCrimmon made the announcement on Sunday at VGK Fan Fest.
This comes from Reinhardt signing a two-year contract with a $812,500 cap hit over the summer. Last season, he scored a goal and an assist in 17 games with the Ottawa Senators. He was originally a sixth-round pick for the Senators in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Overall, Reinhardt had an impressive preseason, displaying physical prowess and tenacity. He showed that he can step in when needed, carrying the fourth-line role to the next level. All of that played into the 25-year-old getting a spot on the Opening Night roster as the Golden Knights face the Los Angeles Kings.
What's even more impressive is that he beat out a tough group for the backup forward spot. Names like Cole Schwindt and Jonas Rondbjerg made compelling cases for serving as press box forwards, especially with their experience and serviceability. However, both were put on waivers, with Schwindt claimed by the Florida Panthers.
Why Vegas Golden Knights fans should get excited about Cole Reinhardt
Look, I get that losing Schwindt hurts for the Golden Knights. He supplied fourth-line power for Vegas and was well-received within the community. Plus, he complemented the offensive attack perfectly.
However, fans shouldn't discount Reinhardt as an alternative. As mentioned, he brings grit and tenacity to the lower lines, making him a valuable player for the Golden Knights.
Also, consider this. Reinhardt was never given a fair shake during his NHL career. Last season, he was stuck behind a playoff roster filled with quality forwards, including Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle. While the circumstances get tougher with the Golden Knights, he's not letting this opportunity slip past him.
That's why fans should hop on board with Reinhardt for the upcoming season. He represents a grittier side of the Golden Knights, doing whatever it takes to impact the game. Not only that, but you're adding size and speed to the lower lines, where he does the dirty work for the Golden Knights.
Considering fans love seeing the grittier players take over on the lower units, that could boost his popularity within the community. Who knows? That could make him another popular pick for the next Battle 4 Vegas competition.