Alberts Šmits Eyes Rangers’ Roster as Training Camp Approaches

As the New York Rangers gear up for the upcoming season, all eyes are on Alberts Šmits, the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The organization selected Šmits with the belief that he is the most NHL-ready defenseman available, but the question remains: will he make the opening-night roster?

Šmits has yet to confirm his attendance at training camp this September. When asked about his plans, he offered a noncommittal response, stating, “We’ll see how it goes.” The uncertainty adds an intriguing layer to his potential debut with the Rangers.

Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury has taken a cautious approach regarding Šmits’ development. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing the young defenseman’s long-term growth over immediate results. “We’re gonna do right by him and the long-term health and well-being of him as a Ranger,” Drury remarked. “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.”

Drury also confirmed that Šmits plans to return to New York later this summer to continue his offseason training after his time in Latvia. As the training camp approaches, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Šmits fits into the Rangers’ plans.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.