Rangers Seek Better Role for Rookie Smits | New York Rangers News

Corey (0:00)

It's October 29th. All right, so the New York Rangers are chilling for a bit as they take a break. This extended time off is perfect for evaluating some changes they might need on the roster. And everyone's looking at that goalie situation, mainly Dylan Garand stepping in for Igor Shesterkin, who's been holding it down for a stretch now.

Garand's been playing well, but lately his performance has dicked a bit.

Head Coach Mike Sullivan made it clear that it's not all on him. The defense in front of him needs to step it up too. This break could mean we see some fresh strategies when they come back on Sunday against the Edmonton Oilers. Now let's talk about rookie Alberts Smits. He's got mad potential being the fifth overall pick. We've seen flashes of brilliance, but being only 18, there are going to be bumps along the way.

Sullivan mentioned he's shown both strong moments and learning opportunities. That's a good sign he's not getting overwhelmed yet.

The Rangers really need to switch up the partner Smits has on defense. His time with Braden Schneider hasn't been ideal, and their numbers show they've been outmatched on the ice. Smits hasn't recorded a point yet, and his shot attempts have been low. Getting him paired with someone like Adam Fox could help elevate his game. So yeah, the Rangers had some decisions to make. Finding the right spots for their rookie will be key moving forward. It'll be interesting to see how they shake things up when they hit the ice again. I'm Corey with the story. That's your New York Rangers News Today update, AI-powered and always on.