The Rangers found a bright spot in a season that went off the rails, and Alberts Šmits is already turning that opportunity into real value.
After finishing last in the Eastern Conference in 2025-26, New York used the fifth-overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft on Šmits, widely viewed as the most pro-ready defenseman in the class. Five games into his NHL run, that decision is looking like more than just a future play. The Rangers are 4-1, and Šmits has become part of the reason why.
“Yeah, obviously,” Šmits said when asked whether he expected to make the team. “That’s why I came here.”
He’s not easing in gently, either. Mike Sullivan has given him real responsibility, and Šmits has averaged 14:50 of ice time per game while handling more than sheltered minutes. The Rangers wanted more balance on the back end, especially with Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov carrying so much of the load, and Šmits has helped provide it.
New York’s second pair of Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson has settled in, and the third pair of Šmits and Braden Schneider has given the defense another steady layer. Sullivan likes what he’s seeing from that combination.
“I think it’s been pretty good,” Sullivan said of the Šmits-Schneider pairing. “I think those guys have worked well together.
Scneids is such a great person, he’s a good partner for Smitty to have. Coming back to the bench, having conversations on the bench.
We think that pair is only getting better.”
Šmits has looked comfortable in every area the Rangers have asked of him. He’s been solid in his own end, bringing a physical edge, long reach and quick mobility to his game. The flashy plays may not be there every night, but the mistakes have been limited, and the defensive reliability has stood out.
For Šmits, the growth feels immediate.
“I have been in this situation before when you come into the new team and you got to prove yourself,” Šmits said. “I think also the organization has helped me a lot.
They’re doing a great job helping me adapt as fast as I can. I'm trying to do my best here to adapt to the game and bring my best performance every night.”
And with each game, he says the confidence keeps climbing.
“Every game I spend out there, I’m getting more confident,” Šmits said. “I think I just gotta keep going in the right direction and we will see where time takes me.”
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