NHL Draft

Flyers 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Anton Frondell

Published

4 months ago

March 10, 2025

PARADISE, NV - JUNE 28: General view of the draft floor, stage, and screen during the NHL Draft on June 28, 2024 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire)

Now that the NHL trade deadline has come and gone, it’s time to start looking at the coming NHL Draft. The Flyers have a stockpile of draft assets in this draft, including three first-round picks (own, COL, EDM) and four second-round picks (own, ANA, CGY, CBJ).

The Flyers have plenty of draft capital to either make a move this offseason, draft what could be the rest of the Flyers’ young core, or even trade some of those picks to move up and ensure they get “their guy/s” in the draft.

That said, it’s time to start looking at who some of those guys may be. If the season ended today, the Flyers would have the best odds at the No. 8-overall draft selection, so let’s start looking at players in the pick 5-10 range.

Anton Frondell, C, Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)

The Flyers’ need for a center could not be any more clear. In the first round, especially when picking as high as the Flyers ultimately will, you need to pick the best player available. Fortunately for the Flyers, some of the best players in this draft class play a position of need.

The Flyers should absolutely do their homework on Anton Frondell. Size-wise, Frondell sits right around average for NHL centers. The Sweden native is 6’0″ 196 lbs per Elite Prospects. However, he is just 17 years old (18 on 5/7). While his height may not change much, being nearly 200 lbs at 17 is impressive, and it’s likely he’ll only get stronger, which just benefits his style of play.

Frondell is a physical skater. He is strong on the puck and can also break things up on the defensive end. He uses his strength to be a great two-way center, but that is not all his game is about.

While his two-way ability is certainly a perk, the strength of his game comes in the offensive zone.

Frondell uses his strength and size to make things happen in the offensive zone. He can be a terrifying net-front presence for goalies, and he has a great shot. However, his best offensive traits are his playmaking ability and hockey IQ. He just has a knack for finding his teammates with great scoring chances.

One word to describe Frondell’s game: playmaker.

If the Flyers were to pick Frondell, they would get a “do-it-all” type player. However, unlike some of the do-it-alls the Flyers have/had, Frondell’s offensive ability gives him actual 1C upside. He is a potential star.

Frondell’s stats for Djurgårdens IF this season:

29 regular season games played, 11 goals, 14 assists, 25 points. Djurgårdens IF is in the HockeyAllsvenskan playoffs.

What I’d Like to See More of From Frondell

If it weren’t for his extensive injury history, I would say Frondell is a surefire top-three pick.

Frondell has dealt with a knee injury in the past, which even caused him to miss some games this season. His 2023 season ended early due to a foot injury. I know there is not much he can do about it now, so there is definitely risk involved in selecting him. Does his star potential outweigh the risk? I would think so, but the Flyers need a prospect with certainty.

As for his play style, Frondell is a good skater but lacks burst in his speed. He is not the fastest skater, which is not necessarily an issue. If he can build up some speed, he could be a lethal linemate for a handful of Flyers.

One other thing I would like to see from him is him getting pucks and himself to the slot more often. He is so good with the puck. If Frondell can get himself to the high-danger areas or just get pucks there more frequently, his numbers would skyrocket.

Overall, Frondell is one of the more complete players in the draft, without much weakness.

Is there a Fit?

To me, the fit is absolutely there. Not to sound like a broken record, but the Flyers need centers badly. Aside from Noah Cates, there do not seem to be any other long-term centers on the roster. Sean Couturier still has plenty of term, but the question becomes how long he can keep up his current play–which is not at a high level by any means.

Jett Luchanko is the only center in the pipeline that has top-six upside, as things stand right now. Frondell would join Luchanko in that group, with a better chance to be a future legitimate 1C.

As for the fit with the current Flyers, I can see his playmaking ability elevating the level of play of both Matvei Michkov and Owen Tippett. His playmaking sense will help anybody, but mix that with elite shots on both sides, and Frondell could be elite. Again, both Michkov and Tippett are fast, so I’d like to see Frondell get a bit quicker to fit that group, but overall, Frondell would fit any future line.