Rangers Coach Sees Growth in Rookie Smits | New York Rangers News

Corey (0:00)

It's October 28th. I'm Corey with the story. This is New York Rangers News Today, driven by AI and bill for fans. All right, let's talk about the New York Rangers and their rookie defenseman, Alberts Smits. This kid made history as the first defenseman in Rangers history to crack the opening night roster at just 18 years old. He's in some pretty elite company too, joining guys like Kaia Pococo and Alexis Lafreniere in that special debut club. So far, he's dressed for all 14 games this season, showing off what made the Rangers snag him as the number 5 pick in the 2026 draft. He's got a long stick that he uses to disrupt plays, and he's not afraid to get physical. That combination is pretty exciting, but he's still got some things to work on, which is common for rookies. Now, it hasn't been all smooth sailing. Smits has had his struggles, he's yet to score a point, and is currently sitting at minus 4

His ice time has been dropping, especially in the last three games, which all ended in losses. You can feel the pressure building in those early NHL games, that's for sure.

Coach Mike Sullivan sees the potential in Smits despite the ups and downs. He said, development isn't always a straight line, and Smits is experiencing that first hand. The coaching staff believes in him and sees progress, which is key at this point. They know he's got a bright future ahead if he keeps pushing through. In the end, it's clear the Rangers are committed to his growth at the NHL level. They could have sent him to the AHL for more playing time, but they're sticking with him. The coaching team is dedicated to helping him develop, and they've got their eyes set on what he can become.

So, it's going to be interesting to see how he learns and adapts in the coming weeks.