It’s that time of the year for The Win Column’s NHL Draft Rankings and Draft Profiles! Earlier on, we released the TWC consolidated 2026 NHL Draft rankings. The 2026 NHL Draft will take place on June 26 and 27 in Buffalo.
We now have Alberts Smits, who is ranked 6th on our consolidated rankings. The Latvian defenceman is viewed as an offensively inclined defender who has benefited from playing in Finland. Smits has been used in a puck-moving role that highlights his mobility and confidence with the puck. His profile fits the modern offensive defenseman archetype, though his overall game remains a work in progress, particularly on the defensive side.
Who is Alberts Smits?
| Player | Position | Shoots | Height | Weight | Born | Nationality | 2026 Draft Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberts Smits | Defence | Left | 6’3”/ 191 cm | 205 lbs / 93 kg | December 2nd, 2007 | Latvia | TWC rank #6 | CS rank #7 |
Smits, who hails from Latvia, is projected to become the highest-drafted Latvian player in NHL history. He progressed through Jukurit’s U20 program before earning time in Liiga as a teenager, playing meaningful minutes against professional competition. His rapid rise in Finland’s pro-pipeline has made him one of the top international defensive prospects in this year’s draft
Smits’ on-ice production
| Year | Draft Rel. | League | Team | GP | G | A | P | P/GP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [2022-23] | D-2 | U16 SM-sarja | HIFK U16 | 28 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 0.25 |
| [2023-24] | D-1 | U18 Mestis | Karhu-Kissat U18 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 1.39 |
| U20 Mestis | Karhu-Kissat U20 | 25 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 0.4 | ||
| [2024-25] | D+0 | U18 SM-sarja | Jukurit U18 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 1.0 |
| U20 SM-sarja | Jukurit U20 | 21 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 0.43 | ||
| 2025-26 | Draft yr | Liiga | Jukurit | 38 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 0.34 |
| Tournament | Year | Team | GP | G | A | P | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Junior Championship | 2026 | Latvia | 5 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 7th |
| Olympics | 2026 | Latvia | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3rd place Group C |
Smits’ production since 2022–23 shows a clear upward trajectory, especially once he entered Finland’s development system. Early on in the U16 and U18 leagues, his numbers were modest and not the focus of his game, as he was playing in lower-tier junior environments and developing his physical and defensive game.
His jump in 2024–25 is where his progression becomes more meaningful. He began producing at the U20 level, notching nine points in 21 games, and earned brief Liiga exposure, which is significant because very few defensemen his age get that opportunity. His real breakout came in 2025–26, where he recorded 13 points in 38 games against men. That level of production is strong for a draft-eligible defenseman in Finland’s top league
Smits’ strengths
Size utilization and board work
Smits’ size translates directly into how he defends along the walls and in contested areas. He is particularly effective on puck retrievals, where he arrives first, absorbs contact, and still maintains possession. Instead of immediately moving the puck under pressure, he often uses his frame to shield it and buy time, which helps his team exit the zone with control. Along the boards, he consistently pins opponents and cuts off passing lanes, making it difficult for attackers to extend plays.
What stands out is how controlled his physicality is. He does not chase hits or overcommit. Instead, he uses his body to end plays efficiently, whether that is sealing off a cycle or forcing a turnover. Around the net, he shows an ability to establish inside positioning and use his reach to disrupt second-chance opportunities, which is a valuable defensive trait.
There is also evidence that his physical game can scale further. When fully engaged, he is difficult to move and can impose himself in battles. The tools are already there, and as he continues to add strength and consistency, this part of his game could become a major advantage.
Aggressive puck movement and offensive involvement
Smits is an active defenceman offensively and looks to influence play whenever he can. He regularly supports the rush as a second wave option and is comfortable carrying the puck through the neutral zone when space is available. His involvement level is high, and he does not default to simply staying at the point.
His shot is a notable part of his offensive profile. He does a good job getting pucks through traffic and keeping them low, which helps generate rebounds and secondary chances. The fact that he was able to score multiple goals in Liiga as a draft-eligible defenceman stands out, given how difficult it is for young players to produce offensively in that league.
Beyond the shot, he contributes by keeping plays alive. He can hold the blue line, adjust laterally, and make quick decisions that sustain offensive pressure. While he is not a pure power-play quarterback yet, he has the tools to contribute in that role over time.
Smits’ areas of improvement
Developing defensive consistency
Smits has shown that he can defend at a high level, but the consistency is not fully there yet. Some shifts, he is composed, physical, and in control. In other shifts, he can lose positioning or react late to developing plays, particularly in the defensive zone.
This shows up most clearly in net-front coverage and slot defence. He can allow attackers to establish an inside position too easily, especially against stronger opponents. There are also moments where he is a step late in recognizing threats moving through the middle of the ice.
At higher levels, these details become more important. The tools are there for him to be effective defensively, but he will need to maintain that level of focus and execution more consistently over full games.
Smits’ comparables
| Scenario | NHL Comparable | Position | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best case | Moritz Seider | Defence | Mobility and defesive aggression |
| Likely outcome | Bowen Byram | Defence | Offensive engagement and pace of play |
A strong comparison for Smits is Moritz Seider because of the mix of size, mobility, and aggressive defending. Like Seider, Smits looks to step up early, close space, and use his reach to disrupt plays rather than sitting back. Both play a high-involvement style and are comfortable handling big minutes. The limitation is that Seider is much more consistent, physical, and refined defensively, while Smits is still developing his timing and control.
Another comparable is Bowen Byram, driven by pace and offensive involvement. Smits, like Byram, stays active in transition, joins the rush, and looks to push play forward with his skating. Both play a higher-event style, where they are constantly involved but can take risks. The difference is that Byram is more explosive and dynamic offensively, while Smits is less polished and still refining his decision-making.
Fit with the Flames
| Organizational need addressed | Top-4 LHD |
| Realistic pick range | 6-10 |
| NHL timeline | 1-2 seasons |
| Flames fit verdict | Possible fit |
If the Calgary Flames see their draft pick land between six and 10, Smits could be an option for them. He would easily be the best left-handed defender in the organization, as the Flames are not too crowded in that position.
However, I’m not so sure if the Flames truly would pick Smits over some of the other players available. What the team really needs is a high-end forward. Drafting a left-handed defenceman wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it’s not exactly the biggest organizational need right now.
It’s why I have Smits as a possible fit for the Flames. If the team does end up drafting him, it’s not a loss, but it wouldn’t be fulfilling a true organizational need. It’s also unlikely that Smits would take long to reach the NHL, as 1-2 seasons is around the amount of time I think he’d take to make the Flames’ roster.
Summary
Smits is a big, mobile defenseman who plays an aggressive, high-involvement game and has already proven he can handle pro minutes in the Finnish Liiga. His value comes from his skating, physical tools, and ability to impact play in transition while contributing offensively. The main risk is his decision-making and consistency, as his aggressive style can lead to defensive breakdowns and high-event shifts. If he refines his reads and timing, he projects as a top-pair, all-situations defenceman, but if not, he may settle as a strong top-four option.
