New York Rangers
· 2026-06-29
The New York Rangers picked Alberts Šmits, a tall defenseman, at No. 5 in the 2026 NHL draft.
Šmits is a top-pairing defenseman with impressive mobility and smarts.
The Rangers selected Šmits, a 6′ 3″ defenseman from Munich, in the first round.
He has a big point shot and defends well due to his length and feet.
The Rangers, currently 16th in the Eastern Conference with a 34-39 record, need to improve their lineup.
Šmits is a reliable first-pass defenseman with a high-end shot.
He projects to be a top-pairing defenseman in the NHL.
The Rangers also picked Danai Shaiikov, a goaltender, on Day 2 of the draft.
Shaiikov has NHL talent in his quickness and athleticism.
He can make NHL-caliber saves, but is inconsistent.
The Rangers are on a W1 streak and need to build on this momentum.
Ben Macbeath, a left-handed defenseman, was also selected by the Rangers.
He has a fluid and powerful skating stride, but needs to add meanness or a top-end offensive element.
Charlie Morrison, another left-handed defenseman, was picked by the Rangers.
He is a tall, mobile defenseman who is quite physical and kills a lot of play.
The Rangers' draft picks are expected to strengthen their lineup and improve their record.
As of June 29, 2026, the Rangers are looking to build on their current streak.
The draft picks are a positive step towards improving their standing in the Eastern Conference.