Anton Frondell is the future star the Chicago Blackhawks should be focusing on

When the Chicago Blackhawks drafted Anton Frondell third overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, they obviously hoped that he would become a superstar. Now, just 12 games into his NHL career, the Blackhawks may already be starting to see him come into his own.

Frondell got a taste of the NHL last season when his SHL team, Djurgårdens IF, loaned him to the Blackhawks. He spent time playing both at wing and at center. He even played with Connor Bedard on the top line. In his 12 games, he had three goals and six assists, finishing with nine points. He also spent time on the top power-play pairing, scoring twice on the man advantage.

Will Frondell be a superstar? It certainly seems so.

Frondell has already received high praise from the coaching staff

During Frondell's stint with the Blackhawks last season, head coach Jeff Blashill got everyone excited about his play. When asked about Frondell's time with the team, he told reporters, "If you get to a point where you have a guy like Anton who looks like a player similar to Jonathan Toews, go out and play against the other team's best."

That's very high praise from a coach for a player in just their first few games in the NHL. For Blackhawks fans who spent more than a decade watching Jonathan Toews play at the United Center, it's definitely good news.

Blashill also said that having Frondell would help to free up Bedard and Nazar to focus on offense and scoring: "That's a great asset to have as an organization." This is high praise from a coach for a young player, and it's a great sign that he is seen this way by the higher-ups in the organization.

When the Blackhawks drafted Frondoll, they knew they were getting a strong two-way forward. He is known for being an excellent forward and defender, scoring up front but also supporting on defense and playing a shutdown role. When a player is compared to Jonathan Toews, you know he's going to have that same two-way style that helped Jonathan Toews win a Selke Trophy.

In his time with the Blackhawks in 2025-26, Frondell had 13 blocked shots. His positional play is very strong as well, which is certainly a plus in his favor. His two-way style of play can free up some of the pressure on his linemates to do the same and support the Blackhawks' blue line as well. Blashill has said that the team really values him as a 200-foot player.

The biggest question will be where he plays when he joins the team full-time. He split time on the wing with Bedard, and then as a centerman on a different line. Frondell said last season, "Whatever Connor [Bedard] doesn't play, I'll play,". A simple statement, but having him on Bedard's wing could help to unlock another level of offense. That being said, his two-way play style may lean more towards a center position for next season.

Anton Frondell's size and physicality is needed in Chicago

Frondell also brings size to the Blackhawks roster, which will be a big asset for them going forward. At 6'1, 200 pounds, he's definitely ready for big hits and physical play in the NHL. Frondell is known for his physical but smart play. He's not a guy who racks up big penalty minutes, but he doesn't shy away from physicality, which is a great combo.

According to Elite Prospects, the Chicago Blackhawks are tied for 30th when it comes to average height across the NHL and are tied for last when it comes to average weight. The more the team can bulk up their physicality, the better. Plus, if Frondell does get to play alongside Bedard, he can take some of the physical pressure off of the smaller forward.

Things are definitely looking up when it comes to Frondell's status as a future superstar.

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