Rangers sign Alberts Smits to entry-level contract

The New York Rangers announced on Wednesday that they have signed defenseman Alberts Smits to a three-year, entry-level contract.

At this point in time, there is no confirmation on the salary or cap hit for Smits’ contract, as well as if it contains any performance bonuses.

Smits was the Rangers’ fifth-overall selection in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, and was the second defenseman selected in a draft loaded at that position, particularly in the top 10. Smits also became the highest-drafted Latvian player, beating Zemgus Girgensons, who was selected 14th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2012 Draft.

Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis, who had Smits ranked seventh in his final edition of the draft rankings, had this to say about the defenseman:

“Šmits was a big part of Latvia’s World Junior and Olympic teams this season. The 6-foot-3 blueliner moves well for his size and makes so much happen with the puck. It’s always nice seeing an 18-year-old who plays with a ton of confidence on the power play. He also has plenty of pro experience under his belt, highlighted by a strong first half with Jukurit in the Finnish Liiga. He was loaned out to München to close out the campaign and has recently lit up the playoffs after watching his ice time stabilize in the 17-18 minute range. I really, really like Šmits’ game.”

Ellis also had this to say about his fit with the Rangers in his post-draft grades, one which he gave New York an A- for their work that weekend:

“Šmits is the obvious prize at No. 5 – he could be NHL-bound in a few months. He’s big, strong, and defensively responsible, and he’s going to have a good career as a top-four player in the NHL.”

Smits is coming off of his first full season of professional hockey, as he had six goals and seven assists for 13 points for 38 games with Jukurit Mikkeli of SM-liiga, and one assist in five games with Munich EHC of the DEL. He also had two goals and four assists for six points in 11 playoff games with Munich.

Smits also got plenty of action on the international stage last season. On top of representing Latvia at the 2026 World Juniors, where he had one goal and four assists for five points in five games, he was also selected to Latvia’s Olympic team, where he had two assists in four games. He was the only draft-eligible player participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics.