Chicago Blackhawks' 2025 third overall pick, Anton Frondell, compares his game to Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov.
Currently, Barkov is the best two-way forward in the NHL and is trending to one of the best two-way forwards of all time. With three Selke Trophies under his name at just 29 years old, there is no reason why Barkov shouldn't hear his name said alongside Patrice Bergeron and Pavel Datsyuk, among others.
Coupled with his outstanding defensive game is his astonishing offensive game. Throughout his 13-year career, Barkov has scored 286 goals and 782 points in 804 games, a 0.97 points per game rate. He's also set a career-high of 39 goals and 96 points.
While Frondell isn't saying he will become Barkov, comparing your play style to a future Hall of Fame center does put lofty expectations on yourself.
“I compare myself to [Aleksander] Barkov in Florida,” Frondell said when asked about his game.
After Matthew Schaefer went first overall to the New York Islanders and Michael Misa went second overall to the San Jose Sharks, the Blackhawks likely cheered when selecting Frondell, both the best player available at third overall and a perfect stylistic fit. With Connor Bedard projected as the team's No.1 center, and Frank Nazar blossoming as an ultra-skilled forward, the Blackhawks need a bigger, two-way center who would complement Bedard and Nazar's game, which Frondell does to a tee.
Listed at just under 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, the 18-year-old will take on the tough defensive matchups at even strength, allowing Bedard or Nazar to focus on producing offensively, similarly to what Barkov does for Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk. Frondell can most certainly hold his own offensively, possessing one of, if not the best, shots in the 2025 draft class, combined with strong skating mechanics and silky hands.
The Trångsund, SWE native played a crucial role in helping Djurgårdens IF achieve promotion back into the SHL, Sweden's top professional league, scoring 11 goals and 25 points in a 29-game injury-riddled season. The initial inclination was that Frondell would head back to Sweden for the upcoming season, but after a strong development camp and a proclamation of striving to make the team out of training camp, Frondell will be provided the opportunity to do so, and the current makeup of the Blackhawks roster could allow him to do so.
If Frondell does work hard to emulate what makes Barkov so great, his offensive creativity, defensive fortitude, understanding of how to use his body, his high hockey IQ and overall tremendous leadership and selflessness, Frondell could go on to have a stellar NHL career. But saying so is a lot easier than doing it.
Anton Frondell Would Fit In On 2025-26 Chicago Blackhawks With the 3rd pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks selected Swedish forward Anton Frondell. This came after the New York Islanders selected Matthew Schaefer and the San Jose Sharks took Michael Misa.