Alberts Smits (D, L, 6’3″, 206, EHC Munchen, 12/02/2007) Alberts Smits is a 6’3′, 205 lb left-shot defenseman who has already logged meaningful minutes across Liiga and DEL while contributing at the 2026 Olympics for Latvia He is a physically mature, two-way defender with real NHL traits, though I feel his projection hinges on improved decision-making and defensive consistency when playing against pace. He is a player trusted in all situations. He wins 55% of his 50/50 puck battles, has 8.0 takeaways/game, and shows a developing a willingness to engage physically (0.79 hits/game). He is a competitive, physically assertive defender who retrieves pucks efficiently and plays confidently through contact. His puck management is sound (87% pass completion), and he shows composure under pressure, with the ability to make controlled high-percentage passes or skate pucks out when lanes are closed. His patience and awareness are beyond his years. Offensively, he provides secondary support (6-7-13 in 38 Liiga games, 14% scoring chance conversion) with the ability to get pucks through from the blue line and contribute on the power play, though he is not a primary driver (0.44 pre-shot passes/game) and I feel he projects more as a complementary piece and second power play piece. My concerns are tied to pace and decision detail-his 5.9 giveaways per game is high for a player in a top-four role, meaning while he avoids panic plays, he can still be forced into turnovers under sustained pressure. At this point his skating is strong for his size, but it is not elite which may limit his recovery ability against NHL speed. Additionally, while he plays physical, there are stretches where he could be more consistently imposing given his frame. That said, his ability to produce across multiple levels and tournaments, including against men and in high-pressure international settings, is a strong indicator of translatability. Projection-wise, Smits has a clear path to becoming an NHL defenseman within 2 years as a reliable, minutes-eating top-four defenseman who can kill penalties, move pucks efficiently, and contribute secondary offense. His combination of size, competitiveness, and hockey sense makes him a strong top-five draft candidate with a high floor.