2026 NHL DRAFT PROFILES: ALBERTS SMITHS

Defense

6’3/205

Jukurit/Liiga

Left

Related: Viktor Fyodorov

Alberts Smits is a 17‑year‑old Latvian defenseman, currently playing for Jukurit in Finland’s Liiga, and is considered a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft. Smits has a ton of upward momentum and could end up disrupting the draft inside the top six by the time the season is over. Smits is logging big minutes playing for Jukurit in Liiga. His combination of size and skill are attractive attributes. He’s engaged defensively, gets in shooting lanes on the penalty-kill, and averaged over 21 minutes of ice in his latest 10-game segment. So far this season he has contributed 6G-6A. He’s being deployed in all situations depending on the opponent and the flow of the game. He represented Latvia at the 2025 Deutschland Cup, marking his first senior international appearance. Smits is part of a new wave of Latvian talent making an impact in European pro leagues. His combination of size, mobility, and offensive instincts has drawn comparisons to modern two‑way defensemen who can anchor a blue line while contributing offensively. His early success in Liiga at just 17 suggests he could be NHL‑ready sooner than most peers.

Size/Strength Excellent

Skating Good

Shot/Scoring Average

Puckhandling Great

Physical Play Average

Offensive Play Great

Defensive Below Excellent

Hockey Sense Excellent

Competitiveness Excellent

Strenths

1. He carries the puck with authority, keeping things simple by sending it deep into the offensive zone. The lefty doesn’t hesitate to swap positions with teammates to create chaos for the opponent.

2. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 205 pounds, he shows intelligence in his positioning and doesn’t get caught off guard by more experienced opponents.

3. Smooth stride for a big defenseman; strong lateral mobility allows him to defend rushes and join transitions.

Weakness

1. For a player of his size, one might wish that he were more physical.

2. He tends to expose himself to hits along the boards too often.

3. Like many young offensive defensemen, he can get caught pushing too far up ice, leaving gaps behind.

Scouting Report

Building on his experience of 9 regular season games and 5 playoff appearances in the Liiga last year, Alberts Smits enters his first year of NHL Draft eligibility with confidence. So far, the defenseman hasn’t wasted any time in showing his potential. After just three games in the U20 SM-Sarja, the left-shot blueliner has recorded 8 points, including 4 goals. In 2024-2025, he put up 9 points in that same league, but it took him 21 games to do it. The Latvian also appeared in two Liiga games with Jukurit, though he didn’t register any points. However, he logged just over 18 minutes per game (3 minutes more than last year), ranking 4th among the team’s defensemen in ice time. Needless to say, the coaching staff clearly trusts him on the ice.

Overall, Alberts Smits is a defenseman overflowing with confidence. Regardless of the league, he carries the puck with authority, keeping things simple by sending it deep into the offensive zone. The lefty doesn’t hesitate to swap positions with teammates to create chaos for the opponent (and sometimes for his own team as well). He’s not necessarily the most explosive or agile skater, but despite his size, the Latvian generates good speed with or without the puck. It’s a style rarely seen among young defensemen in Finland, where players tend to stay more passive and prioritize safety in their positioning. Smits also uses his size effectively when retrieving and protecting the puck. One might wish for a bit more physical edge in his game, but he’s far from passive. On the contrary, the prospect engages both with his stick and with strength in his battles. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 205 pounds, he shows intelligence in his positioning and doesn’t get caught off guard by more experienced opponents. That sai

Offensively, Smits keeps his feet moving and his head up, though he doesn’t display much in terms of elite upside. He’s not deceptive, flashy, or highly creative. His 8 points in 3 U20 SM-Sarja games came in situations that won’t necessarily translate to professional hockey. It’s not that luck was involved, but the goaltending and defensive play at that level are far from NHL caliber. We’re talking about weak backhand shots over a goalie’s shoulder, secondary assists, and blind spin-around shots from the blue line that fooled the netminder. Still, his decisions are sound and they help move the play forward efficiently. Statistically speaking, the prospect is already standing out. So far, Smits has put 4 shots on goal (team-high), delivered 3 hits (3rd among defensemen), won 57% of his puck battles (3rd among defensemen), and recovered 19 loose pucks off turnovers (team-high), while committing only 6 giveaways (best ratio on the team). On top of that, he has completed 89% of his 46 pass attempts and has touch

As for the 2026 NHL Draft, given how early we are in the season, it’s difficult to predict exactly where he’ll be selected. However, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say he’ll be in consideration for the top 20 if his progression continues in the Liiga. The prospect is currently playing his draft year at age 18 (he turns 18 in early December) and already has meaningful professional experience in Finland. Smits is a core piece of his team and, even if it’s not a club that usually performs well in the Liiga, his status will certainly catch the eye of scouts.

Skill: Left Shot defenseman, with size, mobility, and poise under pressure

NHL Comparable: Moritz Seider

NHL Potential: Top 4 Two-Way defenseman

Season	Team	League	GP	G	PTS
2024-25	Jukurit U20	U20 SM-sarja	21	4	9
	Jukurit	Liiga	9	1	2
	Lavtia	WJC-18	5	1	3
2025-26	Jukurit	Liiga	26	6	12