The Chicago Blackhawks selected Anton Frondell with the third overall pick. The Swedish forward was the highest-rated international prospect coming in.
Part of his media tour following his selection was a Zoom with the media in Chicago. He immediately made it known that he was ecstatic to join an organization like the Blackhawks at this time.
"It's an amazing feeling," Frondell said. "I'm still shocked. It was a blackout when I heard my name."
He had to know that his name was going to be called relatively early in the draft, but it never seems to be real until you hear it out loud. Frondell appears to be incredibly grateful to be in the position that he's in.
The 2025 NHL Draft is not seen as one that is producing a day one NHL star, as we've seen in previous years, but a handful of guys may make a push during training camp and the preseason.
"That's my dream," Frondell said of playing for the Blackhawks in 2025-26. "That's what I'm doing this every day for." He admitted that if he's not good enough, he will go back to Djurgarden.
Frondell would have to dominate to make the team out of camp, but we've seen it done before. It isn't like the Blackhawks don't have spots to compete for at this stage of the rebuild.
The hype around Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar as offensive leaders going forward is well documented. However, they are both smaller, shifty players who are solely focused on creating offense. Frondell, according to himself (and the eye test), is a bit different.
“I compare myself to [Aleksander] Barkov in Florida,” Frondell said when asked about his game.
That's a lofty expectation to place on yourself, but it's a good attitude to have. That is certainly a good player to model your game after, as Barkov plays the game the right way in all three zones. He is one of the greatest two-way players in the history of the sport.
Is Frondell going to win the Selke Trophy three times? Is he going to win the Stanley Cup in back-to-back years with a Final runner-up appearance before that? That is unlikely.
However, building a reputation as a high-end two-way center is possible. If he's in the conversation for the Selke Trophy and helps the Blackhawks make deep playoff runs by being a perfect fit with the other young players, it will be a home run pick. Even if he's just a solid forward for the Blackhawks during a winning stretch, it will still go down as a solid selection.
Frondell is a highly motivated kid with a high-effort motor, offensive skills, and a winning attitude. He will work well with all of the youth that the Blackhawks have been putting together throughout their rebuild.
Whether this Barkov expectation is realistic or not, it is good to know that he has confidence in his game as he attempts to become an NHL star.
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