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In the New York Rangers' Tuesday night preseason matchup against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden, all eyes were on 2026 fifth-overall pick Alberts Smits. The 18-year-old defenseman was eager to prove he belongs in the NHL, and he did not disappoint.
From the outset of training camp, head coach Mike Sullivan made it clear that Smits would receive a legitimate shot at making the opening-night roster. Those promises have materialized, as Smits has spent the first week of camp paired with Braden Schneider on the third defensive pairing—a sign that the coaching staff is giving him a serious evaluation.
Tuesday's game served as Smits' biggest test yet, coming against an Islanders lineup stocked with NHL regulars. He passed with flying colors. His defensive zone play was particularly noteworthy, highlighted by a sequence where he used his long reach to poke-check the puck away from Bo Horvat, who was driving to the net.
Despite being just 18, Smits demonstrated he can physically compete against seasoned professionals—a quality that caught Sullivan's attention.
"I thought he played well," Sullivan said. "One of the biggest challenges for young players is just the physical size and strength of the guys in this league, and I mean you guys can see it, he's a man as an 18-year-old. His physical stature. He's big and strong. He has the ability to battle on pucks. He's big enough and strong enough to compete in this league, that's one challenge I think he's already met."
Smits also made an impact offensively. In the second period, he delivered a perfect pass to Taylor Raddysh, who was streaking to the front of the net, resulting in a deflection goal. The play showcased Smits' confidence with the puck and his offensive instincts to find Raddysh in a tight window.
"He makes a really nice play on Taylor Raddysh's goal," Sullivan said. "Just looking for that stick in the high slot, just getting his head up, and the awareness to make that play. He's a mobile guy."
Smits finished the night with 15:29 of ice time, one assist, one blocked shot, two hits, and one takeaway. After the game, he expressed comfort with the speed of play, which was evident in his performance. However, he was self-critical, describing his overall game as up and down.
"There were a lot of good moments, a lot of moments where I wish I could have played differently," Smits said. "Hockey is a momentum game, and there is ups and downs through the game. I just gotta learn from the bad things and gotta take them with me to the future."
Smits has already competed at a high level, including representing Latvia at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Still, he was in awe of playing under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden.
"Obviously, it's a big arena," Smits said. "You can feel all the energy that's in there, and it was an amazing experience for me. I really enjoyed it."
Key Analysis
Smits' impressive debut puts him squarely in the conversation for a roster spot. His combination of size, mobility, and hockey IQ at such a young age is rare. While he acknowledged areas for improvement, his performance against NHL competition suggests he is ready for the next level. The Rangers' coaching staff will continue to monitor his progress closely as the preseason unfolds.
Originally reported by yahoo.