Alberts Šmits catches fire on scout sheets, and the Rangers zero in as his prime suitor for the 2026 draft. Front offices whisper about his raw tools fitting New York's rebuild like a glove, especially with their lottery odds lurking. Scouts rave in private calls that he rounds out a blue line that's been patchwork since Trouba's heyday. This kid's rise tests whether GM Chris Drury plays the long game or swings for the fences now.

Ryan Leonard credits his seamless jump to the NHL with the big-brother guidance from enforcer Brandon Duhaime, who has protected him on the ice and off with home-cooked meals and Costco runs that are already Caps lore. The rookie, fresh off a shoulder injury from that brutal Trouba hit, ranks high among first-year scorers while earning trust from coach Spencer Carbery in tough matchups.