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Rangers seeing hints of brilliance from 18-year-old Alberts Smits — even if scoring hasn’t followed

The New York Rangers are beginning to see glimpses of offensive potential from 18-year-old defenseman Alberts Smits, even as he remains without a point in his first 10 NHL games. Smits, the fifth overall pick in this year’s draft, showcased his playmaking ability late in the first period of a recent game, driving traffic with a series of stick taps before firing a shot on goal that was turned aside by Nico Daws.

His preseason performance included an assist, and while he has yet to contribute in the regular season, the Rangers’ coaching staff continues to highlight his passing and physical maturity beyond his years. Despite his lack of scoring, Smits ranks second on the team in expected goals per 60 minutes, signaling his growing impact in high-danger situations.

Head coach Mike Sullivan has emphasized Smits’ untapped offensive upside, though the young defenseman remains focused on refining his defensive responsibilities first. With the Rangers’ top four defensemen accounting for nearly all of their blue-line production this season, Smits’ eventual offensive emergence could further bolster their already strong defensive corps.

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