Anton Frondell just wrapped up his SHL regular season with Djurgardens where he scored 20 goals, and had 8 assists, for 28 points in 43 games (0.65 points per game). Frondell is only the 4th 18 year old to score 20 goals in the SHL. Because Djurgardens finished 9th in league standings, they will have to compete in a “play-in” tournament for the playoffs. In a best of 3 series, the winner gets into the playoffs, and the loser goes home. The 2025 3rd overall pick will make his way to Chicago once their playoff run is over.
Frondell is a defensively responsible player who has elite offensive talent, most notably his shot. Frondell has a hard, heavy wrist shot as well as a lethal one timer, often utilized on the powerplay from the left circle. Frondell scored 3 powerplay goals in 7 games in this fashion at the World Junior Championships, which helped propel Sweden to a Gold Medal.
Another strength in Frondell’s game is his nose for the net. He has a shot first mentality which he often follows up by hunting down his own rebound. Frondell has scored 7 of his 12 5-on-5 goals from tight in the slot this season with Djurgardens. Frondell uses his 6-foot tall frame to drive the net and create offense.
How will the Chicago Blackhawks best utilize Anton Frondell? It is pretty clear Frondell is a top 6 caliber player, who can already play against grown men, even at the young age of 18. With Frondell having played most of his SHL time on the wing, and the Blackhawks already having their 1-2 punch down the middle with Bedard and Nazar, Frondell will likely remain on the left wing, at least to start his career. That’s not to say he won’t ever play center in the NHL. The Blackhawks have struggled to find Bedard’s long-term linemate, but the 6’0” winger has the perfect skill set to complement Bedard. Connor Bedard is a pure goal scorer, put him anywhere on the ice with room to get off his lethal release, and he will likely find an opening to put it in the back of the net. What has been missing has been a highly skilled, creative winger with size and speed who can feed Bedard the puck. That is exactly where Frondell will thrive. Frondell’s speed, and willingness to drive the net will open up ice for Bedard, allowing him to do what he does best, make plays.
Having Frondell on the powerplay will also give the Blackhawks another threatening option. Right now, the powerplay starts with Bedard, runs through Bedard, and ends with Bedard. With Levshunov still developing his shot, the Blackhawks lack options (their next highest threat being Tyler Bertuzzi in the crease). Having Frondell on the left flank and Bedard on the right, the powerplay quarterback will have multiple options. Having the option of both Frondell and Bedard for a one timer will force the penalty killers to adjust, opening up a lane down the middle for the defensemen to put the puck on net.
Frondell brings a certain level of creativity to the table, he likes to try new things and he isn’t afraid to take a risk. Early in the season Frondell scored a “Michigan” style goal, showing off his puck skills and creativity. He thinks the game similar to Bedard and is able to make quick decisions and use his creativity to get out of trouble.
In short, the Blackhawks seem to view Frondell as Connor Bedard’s long-term linemate. Frondell has an elite offensive IQ, an elite shot, and impressive defensive abilities (often being compared to Aleksander Barkov). Anton Frondell is going to be an immediate impact player for the Blackhawks when he joins the team, most likely before April, assuming Djurgardens does not go on a deep playoff run.