The New York Rangers signed defenseman Alberts Smits to a three-year entry-level contract, the team announced Wednesday. The deal is worth $1.075 million per season at the NHL level. Smits, 18, went fifth overall in June’s draft — the highest an NHL team has ever selected a Latvian player — after recording 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 38 Liiga games for Jukurit in 2025-26. The signing doesn’t guarantee him an opening-night roster spot, but he’ll get a camp audition in September. In dynasty formats, top-five pedigree plus a signed ELC makes Smits a priority stash before he plays an NHL game.
Rangers Sign Fifth Overall Pick Alberts Smits to Three-Year Entry-Level Contract
The fifth overall pick signs a three-year entry-level deal worth $1.075 million per season at the NHL level, three weeks after becoming the highest-drafted Latvian in league history.
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