Alberts Smits’ NHL career has launched into the spotlight at breakneck speed. After earning an opening-night roster spot with a standout training camp and preseason, the 18-year-old has stepped onto an overhauled New York Rangers blue line and proven he can skate at this level.
Lately, the inevitable NHL growing pains have begun to surface. Smits has held his own for a teenager playing in the world's top league, but as the games tighten and the margin for error shrinks, the Blueshirts need him to process the game faster.
While there is zero reason to panic about Smits' long-term trajectory, Mike Sullivan's recent deployment of the rookie defenseman is starting to raise legitimate questions.
Smits is holding his own on the third pairing
On the third line pairing with Braden Schneider, Smits has shown his ability to be an every-night NHLer. The fifth overall pick of the 2026 NHL draft is one of five players from that draft to see NHL time already. Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg, the top two picks, have contributed the most so far for their team.
Through 12 games, Smits has yet to record his first NHL point, but he has registered five shots on goal and thrown 11 hits while averaging roughly 15 minutes of ice time per night. More importantly, he has handled those minutes in front of rookie goaltender Dylan Garand rather than veteran Igor Shesterkin. When evaluating how structured and competitive the Rangers have looked during their 7-4-1 start, the third pair's ability to hold water at 5-on-5 has been a steadying factor.
The offense will come once the game slows down for him. Smits' active stick, size, and two-way mobility are what make him a special prospect. He has been caught on a couple of mistimed pinches in the neutral zone, but for an 18-year-old adjusting to North American pace, Rangers fans should be pleased with his foundational play.
Sullivan’s challenge might be too much
Over the past two games, however, there has been a noticeable shift in how Sullivan is handling No. 12. His ice time has dwindled from his early 15-minute standard down toward the 11-minute mark, with Sullivan shortening his bench whenever the pace ramps up.
That creates an immediate dilemma. A defenseman with Smits’ ceiling can only adjust to NHL speed and eliminate mental errors by playing through them. With Vladislav Gavrikov playing heavy minutes on the top pair and Marcus Pettersson thriving on the second pair, the left side of New York's defense is entirely blocked from top-four promotions.
Smits is getting the playing time against NHLers, and on the big stage, but his development might take a hit sue to a lack of play time. At this point, with how well this team is playing, head coach Mike Sullivan has to decide on what to do with the young defenseman. Eventually, it will come to the point that Smits is bona fide third liner, or can be more.
Sullivan has to make a definitive choice. He must challenge Smits with real responsibility and allow him to make the mistakes that every teenage defenseman makes, or Drury will have to rethink whether keeping him in a sheltered third-pairing role is the best path for his future. To get the most out of the fifth overall pick, Sullivan has to trust him.
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