Alberts Smits is about to pull on a Rangers sweater for the first time, and it's happening sooner than fans expected.
New York released its rookie camp roster Wednesday, with the No. 5 overall pick front and center among 26 invitees.
The 18-year-old defenseman already has a contract in hand after signing his entry-level deal, and now comes the real test.
Smits headlines a group that plays two games against Philadelphia Flyers prospects this weekend, the first real look at what he can do in a Rangers jersey.
Nine defensemen made the camp roster. Two of New York's other 2026 picks, Ben MacBeath and Charlie Morrison, couldn't attend since both are locked into NCAA seasons at Denver and UConn.
Drew Fortescue is also in that defensive group, and he's not just a name on a camp roster. He already logged 9 games with the Rangers, posting 2 points.
Jackson Dorrington rounds out a notable group of defensemen too. He played 70 games in Hartford last season after arriving in the trade that sent J.T. Miller to Vancouver.
Adam Sykora's rookie camp spot is the real story here
Here's the twist nobody expected. Adam Sykora, who just turned 22 and is entering his fourth pro season, is also on this rookie roster.
That's not typical for a player who closed last season with 4 points in 11 NHL games with the Rangers.
But the signing of bottom-six forward Eeli Tolvanen complicates things, and other forwards on the roster still need waivers to get sent down.
Sykora posted 3 goals and 1 assist over 11 games with New York, going even on the plus-minus, before landing back in this camp.
New York finished last season 34-39-9 for 77 points, 29th overall, under head coach Mike Sullivan and GM Chris Drury.
A rebuild that leans this hard on young defensemen and waiver-complicated bottom-six depth doesn't leave much room for error this camp.
Eight of the Rangers' top 10 prospects are in the building this weekend. Whether Smits or Sykora forces their way onto the opening-night roster is the question that actually matters.
Will Alberts Smits make the Rangers opening-night roster this season?
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