Less than three weeks after selecting him fifth overall in the draft, the New York Rangers have locked in their prized Latvian prospect. Alberts Smits, a towering 6 foot 3 defenseman who turned heads across European professional leagues, signed his three year entry level contract with the Blueshirts on Wednesday. The 18 year old is now positioned to compete for a spot on the Rangers roster when training camp opens in September, though the organization appears committed to a patient development approach.
What sets Smits apart from typical teenage draft picks is his extensive resume against professional competition. Having competed in both the Finnish Elite League and the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, Germany’s premier professional circuit, Smits brings a maturity rarely seen in players his age. His participation in Olympics and World Championships further distinguishes him from his draft class peers, providing him with experience on stages that dwarf the pressure of preseason NHL games. Scouts valued him as one of the more NHL ready defensemen available this year, a narrative that followed him throughout the entire draft process and intensified speculation about his immediate impact potential.
Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury recently addressed expectations surrounding the young blueliner, emphasizing a long term perspective over immediate gratification. “Well, there’s not too many kids his age drafted who have played in two different men’s pro leagues, Olympics, World Championships,” Drury explained. “Certainly isn’t getting in bigger stages than those events he participated in. We’re excited where we got him. We think he’s obviously a terrific prospect, but with that said, we’re going to do right by him and the long term health and well being of him as a Ranger.”
Drury’s measured approach reflects both confidence in Smits’ abilities and awareness of the steep learning curve defensemen face upon NHL entry. “This is not a sprint for him,” Drury continued. “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.” With significant additions to the defensive corps this offseason, New York has padded its depth enough to avoid rushing Smits into service. A strong preseason could force the organization’s hand, but current circumstances suggest a more likely scenario involves Smits beginning the season with the Hartford Wolf Pack and earning a recall when circumstances demand.
Rangers director of player development Tanner Glass observed qualities during development camp earlier this month that reinforced the organization’s optimism. “Some of the detail to his game is certainly impressive and probably beyond his years,” Glass noted. “He’s got some habits that you see in people that are much more mature. The way he surrounds the puck, the way he moves the puck, the way he kind of commands the ice. He’s confident in his ability and he has a commanding presence on the ice, which is really nice to see at that age.” Those intangibles, combined with professional experience against older competition, form the foundation of Smits’ appeal as a prospect who could accelerate through typical development timelines.
Smits himself has remained characteristically reserved about expectations and predictions, declining to specify which areas of his game will receive focus during the offseason. Plans call for him to return to New York later this summer to continue training, positioning him for a serious evaluation during September’s training camp. Whether he breaks camp with the NHL roster or refines his game in Hartford, Smits represents a cornerstone piece in the Rangers’ ongoing effort to build sustainable defensive depth. For an organization hoping to contend for championships in the coming years, the Latvian teenager’s development trajectory could prove as significant as any trade or free agent signing.
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