When Anton Frondell was drafted third overall in 2025, many people assumed he would be the much-needed linemate for Connor Bedard. The pair played together in only three of Frondell’s 12 NHL games last season. Jeff Blashill gave the young Swede a shot at the second-line center position, where he thrived. Frondell drove a second line with Tyler Bertuzzi and Ilya Mikheyev.
It seems Blashill really liked what he saw, as Frondell has played center in both of his preseason appearances so far and is set to do so again in tonight’s final preseason game.
Unfortunately, Frondell hasn’t looked nearly as dangerous as he did in the regular season last year. Jeff Blashill commented on Frondell’s play so far.
“I don’t think he’s got to his A-game yet, which is ok. I thought he played his A-game when he came over [last season]… At times, you’ve taken so much information in, you’ve just got to kind of let it happen a little bit. He’s going to be a really good player. There’s no doubt in my mind. He’s still 19 years old. There’s going to be ups and downs, and we just have to have realistic expectations.”
Fortunately, Frondell’s defensive game has remained solid, which usually isn’t the case for teenagers in the NHL. Frondell is a 200-foot player who has often been compared to Aleksander Barkov, so it’s reasonable to expect him to have a defensive impact right away. Frondell has an elite shot as well, which is what makes him such a complete player.
So far this pre-season, Frondell has been paired with Nick Lardis, another pure goal scorer. However, their games seem to clash, rather than complement each other. Both of them are shooters who need a linemate who can go to the dirty areas and win puck battles.
Tonight, those two will be split up for the first time this preseason. Frondell will center the top line with Bertuzzi and Mangiapane. Mangiapane is a “puck-pursuit type player”, according to Blashill. Nick Lardis will play on the third line with Roman Kantserov and Teuvo Teravainen.
Whether or not Frondell is a full-time center or winger is still a mystery.