Rangers Draft Surge with Smits and MacBeath | NHL News

The New York Rangers turned heads in the 2026 NHL Draft, punching above their weight with a pair of elite defensemen—Alberts Smits (5th overall) and Ben MacBeath (2nd round)—to rebuild their future after two playoff-less seasons. Smits, a towering, high-IQ international standout, brings physicality and scoring ability from Finland’s top pro league, while MacBeath adds elite skating and two-way versatility from the WHL. With depth now bolstered by picks like Danai Shaiikov and Charlie Marrison, the Rangers are suddenly looking like a serious contender for the next generation of NHL success. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/03c395625c907534