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2026 NHL Draft

New York Rangers Select Albert Šmits No. 5 In 2026 NHL Draft: What To Know

New York Rangers Select Albert Šmits No. 5 In 2026 NHL Draft: What To Know

New York Rangers select Albert Šmits with the No. 5 pick. Here's FloHockey's Chris Peters instant reaction to the pick.

Jun 26, 2026 by Tobias Linkin
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Alberts Šmits Reflects On Latvia's Tournament, Showing Scouts What He Can Do At World Juniors5:11

The 2026 NHL Draft brings together the next generation of hockey stars as all 32 franchises look to shape their futures. 

From elite prospects expected to go in the first round to under-the-radar talents with breakout potential, the draft is one of the league's most exciting offseason events. 

Follow every selection, trade, and surprise as teams build for tomorrow and young players take the first step toward realizing their NHL dreams on hockey's biggest stage.

Here's FloHockey's Chris Peters' analysis on the New York Rangers taking Albert Šmits with the No. 5 overall pick.

No.5 New York Rangers Select Albert Šmits, C, Jukurit/Munich

Scouting Report

Šmits is a difficult prospect to define in that his offense is not exceptional and in some cases underwhelms. His defense is solid and he is growing in confidence in that element. He seems to be on a fairly rapid trajectory to the top level thanks to his strong understanding of the game, his competitive drive and his strong skating ability. 

He looks physically as ready as any prospect to jump into an NHL lineup. My sense is that the best path forward for him is AHL next season and be in the NHL on a full-time basis as soon as 2027-28. Šmits played a ton of high-level hockey with a full season of pro, the World Juniors, Olympics and World Championship. In the latter two events, he more than held his own and often was relied upon in a variety of situations.

Projection: 

  • Top Four Defenseman

NHL Comparison: 

  • Ryan McDonagh

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