A head turning decision has been made involving 3rd overall Chicago Blackhawks draft pick Anton Frondell
The Chicago Blackhawks selected Anton Frondell 3rd overall in 2025, and he's started preseason hockey in the SHL, with another 1st-rounder Victor Eklund, on the Djurgardens "Kid-line".
When it comes to the NHL, we typically think of those aptly named lines, full of promise and skill.
For Frondell, he'll join a New York Islanders prospect and another 1st-round pick, Victor Eklund, on the same line, despite several other prominent former NHL'ers within the team in Djurgardens.
The Swedish "Barkov" will have a lot to prove after signing his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks this season.
Frondell played 29 games in the SHL last season and scored 25 points (11-14) with the Djurgardens IF.
His prowess on the ice led to the Blackhawks having the kind of faith to select him 3rd overall in 2025.
While Eklund, an Islanders draft pick, scored 31 points (12-19) in 42 games with the same squad.
The line will feature Frondell, who compared himself to Barkov, and put up nearly a point-per game in the SHL last season.
He has the right kind of hockey IQ for this line to thrive.
His other linemate, Eklund, has been described in scouting reports as relentless on the forecheck and is a great two-way forward, playing on both ends of the ice.
It sounds like this "kid-line" is set to be a ferocious two-way line chock full of talent who can beat opponents on both sides of the ice, while Frondell is a physical presence on all areas of the ice.
He's unafraid of laying the body, posting up at the net to take advantage of juicy rebounds, and has a great wrist shot.
We envy what fans in the SHL will get to see this season.
Previously on HawksInsider
| POLL |
SEPTEMBRE 2 | 248 ANSWERS A head turning decision has been made involving 3rd overall Chicago Blackhawks draft pick Anton Frondell Do you think center Anton Frondell of the Chicago Blackhawks will dominate the SHL this season? |
| Yes | 150 | 60.5 % |
| No | 98 | 39.5 % |
| List of polls |