Smits, who made the Rangers out of camp as the No. 5 overall pick in June’s NHL Draft, has yet to record his first point.
The New York Rangers announced on Monday that rookie defenseman Alberts Smits is sidelined week-to-week due to an upper-body injury. The 2026 No. 5 overall draft pick earned an Opening Night roster spot out of training camp and has made a solid defensive impact across 5-on-5 play despite having yet to register his first NHL point.
In response to the injury, the Rangers recalled defenseman Marc Del Gaizo from the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack on Sunday. New York continues to navigate a difficult injury stretch, having already lost star goaltender Igor Shesterkin to a season-ending injury, while currently holding third place in the Metropolitan Division with a 10-7-1 record.
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