Alberts Smits didn’t waste any time making his first impression at New York Rangers training camp. The 18-year-old defenseman was not only on the ice for Thursday’s first practice, but he was also slotted into a top-six blue-line group, a clear sign the Rangers are giving the No. 5 overall pick in this year’s draft a real chance to show what he can do.
That doesn’t guarantee Smits will be lining up on the third pair when the Rangers open against the Boston Bruins, but it does tell you how Mike Sullivan and his staff are handling this. With camp lasting less than two weeks and only four preseason games on the schedule, there isn’t much time to sort out whether Smits is ready for the NHL. Pairing him with Braden Schneider, who has been a lineup regular for five seasons, gives the Rangers a clean way to judge him without sheltering him too much.
“We obviously had him paired with ‘Schneids’ today. I thought he had a good first day. I thought he didn’t look out of place by any stretch,” Sulliavn said after practice, before adding, “I’m trying to a certain extent to reserve judgement and just watch.”
What stood out to Sullivan wasn’t just the overall package people have been talking about. It was the way Smits moved the puck.
“When he passes the puck, he snaps it hard, which I think is a very evident thing with NHL players. How hard they pass the puck, and it’s crisp,” he explained.
“That’s one thing that I noticed right away being on the ice with him that he snaps pucks. It’s on and off his tape.”
If Smits doesn’t prove ready by the end of camp, the Rangers have options. He could start the season in Hartford of the American Hockey League, while Matthew Robertson is the leading candidate to open as Schneider’s partner after coming off a solid rookie season. Robertson was paired with Scott Morrow at Thursday’s practice.
Urho Vaakanainen’s spot is less certain. The veteran left-shot defenseman could end up as the extra defenseman if Smits makes the team, or he could be the one left out. On Thursday, Vaakanainen skated with Dennis Cholowski.
For now, though, the Rangers are giving Smits a fair shot to earn his place. That’s the kind of opportunity he should get, and it’ll be interesting to see what he does with it.
In other Rangers news, the first day of camp drew positive reviews from Sullivan and captain J.T. Miller, and the power play already has another weapon after adding Pavel Dorofeyev to the top unit, with Adam Fox saying “pick your poison” for opponents trying to stop PP1. Sullivan is also still considering whether the team could carry three goalies to start the season.
Around the NHL, Alexander Nikishin’s agent said Friday that the Hurricanes defenseman is not considering a move to the KHL and is still pushing for a trade out of Carolina. Elsewhere, Dylan Larkin addressed his trade request and the awkward situation in Detroit, Seth Jarvis returned to Hurricanes camp three months after shoulder surgery, Kyle Connor said he and his Jets teammates are “heartbroken” over Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request, and the Devils will be without Nick Bjugstad for 4-6 months after pectoral surgery while Jonathan Kovacevic remains limited after knee surgery. Alex Ovechkin is “energized” entering his 22nd NHL season, and Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky discussed his contract extension, Macklin Celebrini and more.
In Other News...
Matt Rempe Suddenly Has Real Pressure In This Rangers Roster Fight
Matt Rempe got one of the more telling looks of Rangers preseason so far when he dressed against the Devils, even as most of the regulars stayed home. For a player trying to carve out an opening night role, those are the kinds of games that matter because every shift feeds into how the staff sorts out the bottom of the lineup. The roster battle around him is no longer just about energy or size, but about who can actually fit into the teams plans when the games start to count.
Rempe is in the mix for a fourth-line right wing spot, and the decision is complicated by the practical side of roster building. The Rangers have to weigh not just what each player brings on the ice, but how easy it is to move him if he does not make the club. That reality gives the competition a sharper edge, and it leaves Rempe facing a familiar but very real preseason test as the opening night roster takes shape. [Read more 🡒]
Former Rangers First-Round Pick Just Had A Wild New Start
Brennan Othmanns first preseason appearance for Calgary barely lasted a couple of shifts, but it was enough to make an impression. The former Rangers first-round pick, traded to the Flames last March, got right into the action with a scoring chance and showed the kind of energy that can catch a coachs eye as he pushes for a spot on the opening-night roster.
The night also showed how quickly things can turn for a player trying to carve out a role. Othmanns aggressive play drew a major response and a game misconduct, leaving him with a stat line that was as eventful as it was brief, while Flames coach Ryan Huska still came away seeing a noticeable impact from the short stint on the ice. [Read more 🡒]
Matt Rempe Has A Real Chance To Force The Rangers Hand
Matt Rempe is back in the picture for the Rangers at just the right time, cleared to dress for the preseason opener against the Devils after a thumb injury cost him the back half of last season. He has not played since February and is now fully healthy, giving him a chance to remind the coaching staff what he brings at a moment when roster spots are still up for grabs.
For Rempe, the assignment is straightforward: show he can help force the Rangers to make a harder decision. He is slated to work on the fourth line with Hartford center Carey Terrance and Jacob Battaglia, and every shift will matter as he tries to turn a healthy return into a serious push for a place in the lineup. [Read more 🡒]