September 17, 2026 • 6:03 AM EDT
Updated 1 hours ago
Noah Laba showed last NHL preseason that rookies can force a coach’s hand with an outstanding camp, earning a place in the lineup. The New York Rangers are heading into the 2026-27 preseason leaning into that same mantra, putting pressure on a group of 16 would-be rookies to make their mark starting Thursday. But out of that crowded field, two names jump off the page: Dylan Garand and Alberts Smits.
Why these two? Simple. They aren’t just filling out numbers. Garand and Smits are walking into camp with a real shot at earning NHL minutes. Garand is eyeing the vacant backup goaltender job after Jonathan Quick retired, and Smits, fresh off being a top draft pick, is already drawing discussion about cracking the defensive unit straight out of camp.
According to Yahoo Sports, these decisions aren’t made in a vacuum. The club has created open competition, especially for goaltending, by bringing in Joonas Korpisalo as a proven vet to push the 24-year-old Garand. Garand already impressed last season with a 2-0-1 record in his first three NHL appearances, which makes this more of an audition than a mere tryout.
Head coach Mike Sullivan set the tone, praising Garand’s late-season showing. Sullivan made it clear: the goaltending depth is real, but it’s not just about penciling in a backup—it’s about fierce internal battles at every spot, something this organization craves.
- Dylan Garand enters camp competing directly with Joonas Korpisalo for the NHL backup goalie job.
- Garand’s early NHL performances give him real credibility in this race.
- Korpisalo’s acquisition via trade with Boston shows Rangers want competition and aren’t handing jobs to rookies.
- Alberts Smits, just 18, brings experience from international men’s leagues and could make the Opening Night roster.
- The Rangers’ brass are being cautious with Smits’ timeline, focusing on long-term development over short-term needs.
- The club’s approach to contracts will shift under the new CBA, reducing max deal terms and driving recent big extensions elsewhere.
For Garand, this is more than just a backup battle. It’s about showing the coaching staff that he can be counted on if called upon for big NHL minutes during regular season pressure. Sullivan labelled him “very capable,” acknowledging his growth and hinting that this isn’t a token camp invite—it’s real business. As for the veteran Korpisalo, with a strong track record, the Rangers are expecting him to push Garand to his limits. You want internal competition at every position, and right now, that’s palpable in the crease.
Smits’ case is a little different. The 18-year-old’s resume outside North America—playing against grown men—has the organization excited but also aware of the development curve. Sullivan didn’t hide that the front office sees NHL readiness in Smits, but they’re wary of rushing him. They’re wary, too, of the “NHL-ready” label that hung around Smits since he was picked fifth overall in June. The message is clear: they want Smits on the roster as soon as he’s ready, but not at the expense of his long-term growth. The coaching staff will see how he stacks up once drills begin alongside vets.
Sullivan further explained the club’s approach when discussing forward Pavel Dorofeyev, emphasizing strategic flexibility and experimentation to get the most out of each player’s skill set. That’s the mentality you can expect across camp—you’d better earn your spot, but the staff will put you in positions to maximize chance of success.
Injury updates were provided too: Cole Beaudoin is day to day, and Aidan Thompson is listed as week to week, both with undisclosed issues. That could play a role in opening up opportunities for other camp attendees.
Off-ice, the new CBA means max contract terms are being trimmed to seven years for returning players and six for newcomers, shaking up how core pieces are retained league-wide. Notably, other teams rushed to lock in young stars the night before the rule change. Rangers president and GM Chris Drury, however, refused to discuss any extension strategies for prospects like Gabe Perreault, simply saying, “All or any conversations I have with players or agents, keep that private. We’re happy with where we’re at…We’re excited to see Gabe and other young players continue to grow, take on more responsibility, earn more responsibility here and have good productive years for us.”
If you’re tracking who could make the roster and swing the odds this year, circle Garand and Smits. Training camp is anything but a formality for these two—the stakes are high, the roles are up for grabs, and the coaching staff is openly inviting competition. That’s when things get interesting for bettors and fans who care about which young talent breaks through.
Key developments shaping Rangers training camp
- Dylan Garand and veteran Joonas Korpisalo enter a competitive battle for the Rangers’ backup goaltender job after Jonathan Quick’s retirement.
- Garand’s strong finish last season gives him a head start in the goalie competition.
- Alberts Smits, just 18, is on the radar for a defensive roster spot, but coaches stress development over hype.
- Management remains cautious with prospect timelines despite fans’ and scouts’ expectations.
- New CBA rules shorten max contract terms, leading to a league-wide dash to sign young stars before the deadline.
- Injury notes open up further competition among rookies and fringe roster hopefuls.
Key takeaways for bettors
- Garand and Smits are the rookies to watch in Rangers camp for potential NHL roster spots.
- Don’t assume Garand is a lock for the backup job; the Korpisalo competition is real.
- Smits could make the Opening Night lineup, but only if the staff feel it’s best for his long-term growth.
- The organization’s rookie philosophy is long-term focused, so weigh that when projecting early season lineups.
- New CBA terms could affect Rangers’ contract moves but don’t expect immediate big extensions for their young core.
- Training camp injuries might give other names a shot, so monitor depth chart updates closely.
- The staff is emphasizing positional flexibility, so pre-camp line combos and pairings could change rapidly.
- Betting on rookie point totals? Note that opportunity will be fiercely earned, not gifted.
More coverage: NHL news coverage, our NHL betting analysis and NHL picks and predictions.
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