Sweden return won’t slow Anton Frondell hype train for Blackhawks fans

So, with the third overall pick returning to Sweden to play for Djurgardens in 2025-26, the Chicago Blackhawks probably won't see Anton Frondell in the system this season except for a few cameo appearances, depending on how things shake up in Sverige.

But this one should just further hype fans, as Frondell looked really, really good last year with Djurgardens in HockeyAllsvenskan, when he put up 25 points and 11 goals in 29 games, before adding another seven points and three goals in 16 postseason matchups.

Now that Frondell has extensive experience playing pro hockey overseas, look for him to take another step as Djurgardens graduates to the SHL. While Frondell will be "a long way from Chicago," it doesn't mean you shouldn't keep up with his progress, and chances are, he'll give you plenty of highlight reel plays before he eventually comes to North America.

While the Blackhawks prospect pool builds within the system, Frondell is the wild card

Earlier today, I gave you an optimistic outlook on the Blackhawks core, and many of them will either be right on the cusp of full-time play with the big club, playing as priority organizational depth, or producing alongside a team looking to regain relevancy.

This could lead to some fans taking a back seat regarding Frondell, but there could easily be a spot for him at the NHL level come 2026-27 the moment he arrives in Chicago. And if he keeps up anything close to a point-per-game pace in the well-respected SHL, that hype train's only going to grow.

And if you think about it, you'll have a player in Connor Bedard heading into his fourth season, with Frank Nazar also factoring into the top six. Enter Frondell for 2026-27, and that's three spots the Hawks have ready to roll in the top six without counting high-end prospects who will surely make names for themselves.

Optimism won't be such "a long way from Chicago" before you know it

You know I was looking for an excuse to sneak that phrase in a second time, right? Sorry, but Richard Peck's classic short-story-cycle is one of the best out there. Anyway, even if optimism might be low again this season, consider the following:

Connor Bedard will be in Year 3, which could transform into a breakout campaign. You'll have Anton Frondell, who could take his game to another level in Sverige. And the Blackhawks blue line is young and building chemistry. Ditto for the goaltending tandem of Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom.

Should Frondell follow through with that, this time next year, we won't be able to wait to create those "lineup projections" for opening night. When you got at least three high-potential youngsters in the top six, which should be the case come 2026-27, you have a right to carry some optimism just one short year after the "centennial summer."

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