First-round pick Alberts Smits tallies assist in telling Rangers performance
The Rangers gave Alberts Smits an unobstructed runway to fill a vacancy on the third pair, and the 18-year-old is preparing for takeoff.Smits was a standout in an otherwise frustrating 4-3 loss to the Islanders in their second exhibition game of the preseason Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.Not only did he register the primary assist on the Blueshirts’ third goal, but the Latvian defenseman was sound defensively against an NHL-heavy Isles lineup.
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mollie Walker about the inside buzz on the Rangers.“I felt pretty much comfortable at this speed,” Smits said after the loss, in which the Rangers blew a 3-0 lead as the Islanders scored three unanswered power-play goals.Since the start of training camp, Smits has skated on the left side of the third pair alongside Braden Schneider.The Rangers are giving their 2026 fifth overall pick every chance to show he’s ready to make the jump to the NHL.
It’s one thing not to look out of place in training camp, but it’s an entirely different feat to look as sturdy as Smits did in his first unofficial NHL game.Taylor Raddysh got a stick on a perfectly placed puck from Smits at the high slot to give the Rangers a 3-0 lead just under 7 ¹/₂ minutes into the second period.Smits more than held his own in a physical, scrum-heavy environment.He was strong in the corners and unfazed with the puck on his stick.
Logging 15:29 of ice time, Smits also saw 3:33 on the penalty kill.“I thought he played well,” head coach Mike Sullivan said.“One of the biggest challenges for young players is just the physical size and strength of the guys in this league, and I mean you guys can see it, he’s a man as an 18-year-old.
His physical stature.He’s big and strong.
He has the ability to battle on pucks.He’s big enough and strong enough to compete in this league, that’s one challenge I think he’s already met.
He makes a re...