The New York Rangers selected defenseman Alberts Šmits with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday night, adding a promising and NHL-ready prospect to their defensive pool amid ongoing roster restructuring. The 18-year-old Latvian left-shot was praised by the organization for his well-rounded game and competitiveness, attributes that suggest he could contribute to the Rangers’ blue line in the near term.
Šmits spent the 2025-26 season competing professionally in Europe’s top leagues, splitting time between Finland's Liiga with Jukirit and Germany's Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) with Munich. Standing 6-foot-3, Šmits logged significant ice time against seasoned professionals, compiling 13 points (six goals, seven assists) over 38 games while averaging about 20 minutes a night. His experience includes appearances at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, where he was the youngest player and the only draft-eligible prospect, contributing two assists in four games for Latvia. He also competed in the World Juniors and World Championship during the same season.
Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury, who served as assistant GM for Team USA at the Olympics, observed Šmits’ performance firsthand and expressed confidence in his potential. John Lilley, the team’s director of player personnel and amateur scouting, highlighted Šmits as a “very good two-way defenseman” with strong defensive skills, a powerful shot, and the ability to move the puck effectively. Lilley noted that decisions regarding Šmits’ readiness for the NHL will be handled by the coaching staff, but he described the prospect as “an excellent prospect” who brings balance to the Rangers’ defense.
The Rangers held two first-round picks on draft night and traded their No. 26 selection along with a third-round pick (No. 92) and a top-10 protected first-round pick in 2028 to the Vegas Golden Knights to acquire forward Pavel Dorofeyev. The 25-year-old Russian was signed to a seven-year, $77 million contract as part of the deal, indicating the organization’s effort to bolster both its defensive and offensive depth.
Šmits has indicated a commitment to developing a two-way game, emphasizing defensive responsibility while also looking to support offensive efforts and generate scoring opportunities. He expressed enthusiasm about joining the Rangers and the city of New York, which he recently visited.
The team is expected to sign Šmits to an entry-level contract shortly, with the anticipation that he will join the Rangers for training camp ahead of the 2026-27 season. His combination of professional experience, international play, and mature style of play positions him as a key piece in the Rangers’ rebuilding process.