What happened: Rangers president and GM Chris Drury announced the club has signed defenseman Alberts Smits to a three-year entry-level contract. New York took the 6-foot-3, 205-pound blueliner fifth overall in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, making him the highest-drafted Latvian player in league history. Smits split last season between Jukurit of Liiga and Jukurit's U20 and DEL affiliate clubs.
Why it matters: The deal locks up a top-five pick as part of a broader offseason rebuild of the Rangers blue line. Smits already has senior international experience at 18, having represented Latvia at the Olympics and multiple world championships.
By the numbers: Smits posted 13 points (6G-7A) in 38 Liiga games in 2025-26, the second-most by a Liiga player under 18 last season, leading Jukurit defensemen in goals and ranking third on the team in points. Across two Liiga seasons he totaled 15 points (7G-8A) in 47 games, adding 19 points (10G-9A) in 26 U20 games.
What to watch: Smits heads into Rangers development camp as the organization maps out his path toward North America for the 2026-27 season.