New York Rangers coach: training camp will determine where Zemgus... Šmits starts the season
NHL teams officially opened training camps on Wednesday, with 18-year-old Latvian defenseman Alberts Šmits competing for a roster spot with the New York Rangers. The club says his camp performance will decide whether he begins the season in the NHL or with the farm team.
NHL clubs officially began preparations for the 2026/2027 season on Wednesday as training camps opened across the league. Among the players drawing attention is 18-year-old Latvian defenseman Alberts Šmits, who is competing for a spot on the New York Rangers' roster.
Balancing short- and long-term interests
According to available information, the Rangers' management is currently working to balance Šmits' short-term and long-term development. This suggests the decision about the young defenseman's path forward will not be rushed, but will instead weigh both the team's immediate needs and the player's long-term growth.
Camp performance will be decisive
Team management has indicated that Šmits' performance during training camp will be the deciding factor in whether he starts the season with the NHL club or is assigned to the farm team for additional playing experience at a lower level. This approach is common practice for promising young players, allowing team management to assess their readiness for top-level competition under real training conditions.
Šmits' progress at camp will be watched with particular interest, as his future with the team remains undetermined and depends on how well the young defenseman uses this opportunity to prove himself before the season begins.
