Alberts Smits Key to Rangers' Strong Start | New York Rangers News

Corey (0:00)

Today is October 7th. Welcome in. This is New York Rangers News Today, where your team meets AI. I'm Corey with the story. Okay, so there's been some buzz about the Rangers and their young defenseman, Alberts Smits, five games into his NHL career, and he hasn't racked up any points yet. But despite that, he's a big reason why New York's off to a solid 4-1 start this season. Smits isn't flashy like some other rookies, but his defensive gameplay is making waves. In a recent win against the Utah Mammoth, he logged over 16 minutes on the ice and had a 62.1% share of the expected goals at 5-on-5. Those quiet contributions to play mean a lot, you know? What really stands out about Smits is his composure.

For an 18-year-old on the blue line, he's showing skills that usually take years to develop. He's not forcing play, staying smart with his shifts, and even managed to create some pressure turnovers. That kind of poise is rare for someone his age.

The coaching staff deserve some credit too. They're easing him into the game instead of throwing him into heavy responsibilities right away.

Being on the third pair allows him to grow at his own pace, which seems to be paying off as he blends seamlessly with his teammates. Looking ahead, it'll be interesting to see how he develops his offensive game. He's got a powerful shot still waiting to be unleashed. If he continues to learn and grow, the Rangers might just have found a gem in this young defenseman who already feels like a core part of the squad.