Alberts Šmits is shaping up to be one of the biggest names to watch when Rangers training camp opens, and the reason is pretty simple: the 18-year-old defenseman has already put himself in the middle of a real roster conversation.
New York took Šmits with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, betting on him as a long-term piece on the blue line. The organization’s belief in him comes from more than draft pedigree, too.
He was viewed as one of the most pro-ready defensemen in the class, and he backed that reputation up by spending time in the Olympics, the World Championship and Liiga last season. That experience helped confirm his standing as a top prospect.
For a while, there was some uncertainty about whether Šmits would make the jump to professional hockey, but that question is settled now. He signed his entry-level contract with the Blueshirts, which means his 2026-27 season will be in the NHL or the American Hockey League.
That leaves him with a straightforward challenge in camp: earn a spot. It won’t be easy.
The Rangers already have Marcus Pettersson and Matthew Robertson in the mix, and Robertson’s breakout last season gives New York two left-handed options alongside Vladislav Gavrikov. That makes the path to the opening-night roster a tough one for Šmits.
Chris Drury also made the organization’s stance clear. The Rangers are not planning to rush him, no matter how much buzz surrounds his arrival.
“We're gonna do right by him and the long-term health and well-being of him as a Ranger,” Drury said of Šmits. “This is not a sprint for him.
We hope he's a rock-solid defenseman for the Rangers for the next 15 years. We're not going to put him in positions or situations that he can't handle.
So excited to add him, but again, not going to do anything that's not in the best interest long term for him.”
Still, there’s at least one recent example that keeps the door cracked open. Noah Laba pushed his way into the lineup last year after coming from the NCAA the season before, so Šmits will have a chance to force the issue if he stands out in rookie and training camp.
However it plays out, Šmits will be one of the main stories once players report in September.
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