Rangers fans are abuzz with excitement as speculation swirls around the potential NHL debut of top draft pick Alberts Smits. The 18-year-old Latvian forward was selected by the New York Rangers with the 10th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, and his impressive junior hockey career has many believing he may make the jump to the professional ranks this season. Smits has been lighting up the scoresheet in the Swedish Hockey League, boasting an impressive 20-goal season with his current team, and his speed, skill, and physicality have drawn comparisons to Rangers' star forward, Mika Zibanejad. As the Rangers look to bolster their lineup and make a push for the playoffs, the possibility of Smits joining the fold has become a hot topic of discussion among fans and analysts alike.

Will Rangers' top draft pick Alberts Smits jump to the NHL this year?  Newsday