{"id":607505,"date":"2026-06-26T08:03:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T08:03:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/607505\/"},"modified":"2026-06-26T08:03:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T08:03:18","slug":"sharks-2026-draft-one-d-man-stands-out-at-no-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/607505\/","title":{"rendered":"Sharks 2026 Draft: One D-Man Stands Out At No. 9"},"content":{"rendered":"

BUFFALO \u2014 The San Jose Sharks will have options galore if they hold onto the 9th-overall pick<\/a>, but one defenseman stands out.<\/p>\n

If Alberts Smits is available at No. 9, Sharks GM Mike Grier<\/a> shouldn\u2019t hesitate to select the Latvian defenseman. Smits. 18, is a 6-foot-3, 209-lb defenseman who can do everything an elite defenseman should be able to do. Another left-handed defenseman might not be what the Sharks are looking for; his talent should rise above that.<\/p>\n

Smits made waves during the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games<\/a> playing as Latvia\u2019s No. 1 defenseman. In four games, Smits had two assists but showcased his ability to hang with top NHL players. Smits averaged 18:45 per game at the Olympics and didn\u2019t look out of place.<\/p>\n

One of my favorite Alberts Smits highlights <\/p>\n

This is the Olympics. Grown men. Some in NHL<\/p>\n

Just being able to dominate on the offensive zone boards and know exactly where he wants to go with the puck #NYR<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/nLO0lEp23I<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NYR Louie \u2122\ufe0f (@NYRLouie) June 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Smits played professional hockey in Finland this season with Jukurit. In 38 games, the potential San Jose Sharks draft target had six goals and seven assists. Per NHL Central Scouting, Smits is ranked as the No. 2 European 2026 NHL Draft<\/a> prospect. That is only behind Ivar Stenberg<\/a>, whom the Sharks could take with the second pick.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what Elite Prospects<\/a> said about Smits in its 2026 NHL Draft Guide:<\/p>\n

\u201c\u0160mits\u2019 motor is one of the strongest in the draft, with a never-ending desire to get involved and influence the game in every situation \u2013 while also having the tools to do so \u2013 setting him apart from many of his peers. He gaps up early and forces the hand of attackers before they reach the blue line. Once the puck crosses into the defensive zone, he applies relentless pressure, looking to pin down attackers, poke the puck away with his stick, and box out threats near the front of the net.<\/p>\n

While the defensive awareness could still stand to improve in certain \u2013 mainly off-puck \u2013 situations, \u0160mits has almost all of the tools and the required mindset to already defend and kill plays at the NHL level.<\/p>\n

And once the play turns around, \u0160mits\u2019 activity rate starts to shine even more. He takes advantage of every possible opening to join the rush, whether he\u2019s carrying the puck himself, offering an option down the wing, or trailing the play through the middle. At the NHL level, this is how he\u2019ll likely generate most of his offense, in addition to having a good shot that can be utilized to beat netminders from range.\u201d<\/p>\n

I watched every game that 2026 draft-eligible defenseman Alberts Smits played at the World Championships for Latvia and liked a lot of what I saw<\/p>\n

Here’s a highlight package of his best moments. The size + skating combo really pops, and he’s quite creative and crafty at times too pic.twitter.com\/ZxqDpvM5GJ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) June 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

If his only area for improvement is rounding out his defensive IQ, his upside is enormous. Smits\u2019 ceiling could be much more than that of a solid top-four defenseman. The San Jose Sharks desperately need a smooth-skating puck-moving defenseman, and Smits fits that mold. Although Grier is fielding offers for the 9th pick, if he keeps it, look for Smits to be the potential pick.<\/p>\n