The NHL Draft is just days away and after an interesting story on the 32 Thoughts podcast, about the San Jose Sharks potentially leaning towards drafting Anton Frondell. It got me thinking, we hadn't yet written about him as a draft target for the Sharks.
There was a lot of talk after the 2025 NHL Draft Combine that the Sharks were almost a lock to draft Michael Misa. However, now Elliotte Friedman believes there is a growing sense that they may actually decide to call Frondell's name out of Sweden. With this report, things are going to get very interesting for the Sharks over the next few days. Until then, let's look at Frondell and what he can bring.
Scouting Report
Team: Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
2024–25 Stats: 11 G, 14 A, 25 P, 16 PIM
DOB: May 7, 2007
Position: C
Shoots: Left
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 205 lbs
Frondell’s numbers might not jump off the page, but there’s more to the story. He missed time with injuries this season, which limited him to just 29 games and kept him from really finding a rhythm. But when he was in the lineup, he showed why he’s still projected to go near the top of the draft. He sees the ice well, always seems to make smart decisions, and is very difficult to knock off the puck. He’s strong down low in battles along the boards, and doesn’t shy away from going hard to the front of the net. He’s the kind of player who’s hard to contain when he gets going and knows how to use his body to his advantage.
Offensively, he brings a lot to the table. He’s got a heavy shot that he can get off in a hurry, but if you overcommit to it, he has the vision to find an open teammate. He’s a legit dual threat, and that makes him dangerous any time the puck is on his stick. For a team like the Sharks, Frondell would be a great fit. He plays a mature game and has the skill and compete level to grow into a reliable top-six forward.
What the Scouts Are Saying:
"Frondell’s separating skill is his ability to get open away from the puck combined with high-end shooting talent. He gets off the wall and beats defencemen for rebounds and deflections, pushing the pace away from the puck, but also slowing down or dropping to the high slot when it’s the right course of action." — Elite Prospect, 2025
"Frondell is a riser on my draft list and he has earned the momentum. In my opinion he is the most elite pure shooter in the draft class. His skill set, hockey sense, and pace allow coaches to deploy Frondell at the centre ice position or on the wing. He’s already strong enough for the pro game." — Jason Bukala, Sportsnet
"He’s heavy but plays with intention, strength and some power (there are some questions about his fitness level/weight after the time off but also belief that he’ll work on it and that it would come around once he got into game shape). He's competitive. He’s got high-end skill on the puck as a handler and play-creator (which, again, we’ve seen more of recently)." — Scott Wheeler, The Athletic
"Although he’s certainly able to pick his spots score goals and gets a ton of power behind his shots, it’s his lightning fast release and his ability to shoot for rebounds for teammates that makes that part of his toolkit pop out this most, and has allowed him to take huge strides in his production in recent months. Outside of establishing himself as a high end shooting threat in recent months, he’s also been an above average playmaker and an absolute menace on the forecheck." — Smaht Scouting
"Frondell shows some excellent defensive habits. Although he's been on the wing in the Swedish second level, he looks and plays like a center. He is an excellent shooter, and his ability to create under pressure from the wall or down low is quite good." — Tony Ferrari, The Hockey News
Anton Frondell is among the most physically gifted in the class. I have no doubt that he has the willingness and ability to engage physically at a pro level, which is a proud statement given just how smooth his skating and puckhandling are. Perhaps no player in this class – sans Misa – have a better understanding of how to create and utilize open space on the puck. Frondell doesn’t dive into plays in the defensive end, but holds his role just enough to win possession – and doesn’t give up the puck once he has it north of the blue line. — Gabe Foley, Recruit Scouting
If GM Mike Grier doesn't go with Misa and goes with Frondell, there is likely good reason for it. Although both players fit with the young core of the Sharks, the organization could see Frondell as more of a reliable center down the road than Misa. He does bring a mature style of play, which can add more support behind Macklin Celebrini, creating a very good one-two punch. Only time will tell what happens, the good thing is we don't have to wait too long to find out since the 2025 NHL Draft is on Friday.
Let us know what you think below.
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