Although the Seattle Kraken have used three of their four first-round picks to draft centers and selected another four in 2024, NHL teams can never have enough strong two-way centers, and Anton Frondell is just that. 

Listed at 6'1, 205 lbs, Frondell is drawing comparisons to Aleksander Barkov and Anze Kopitar, two of the best two-way centers of all time. Like Barkov and Kopitar, Frondell isn't known as a top-end skater, but by no means is it a weak point. He understands how to use his body to separate himself and his opponent, both offensively and defensively. His shot is among the best in the draft class, but inconsistencies have scouts confused over where he'll end up. 

At the moment, he ranges from anywhere between picks 3-9. 

Playing in HockeyAllsvenskan this season, Sweden's second league, the 18-year-old scored 11 goals and 25 points in 29 games, helping Djurgårdens IF clinch promotion back into the SHL, where he'll once again play a critical role in their success next season.

Frondell's ending to the season was great, but prior to it, he struggled, although he was recovering from an injury. When Frondell started to rise up the rankings again, he accompanied Sweden to the U-18s, but it proved to be a disappointing tournament for him. Scouts wanted Frondell to take over and be the catalyst for Sweden, but he scored just one goal and three points in five games, exiting with a silver medal. 

Despite the inconsistencies, Frondell's frame and skill set, combined with his IQ, have all the makings of a potential top-six center with Selke-level upside. 

Kraken 2025 Draft Targets: Porter Martone Plenty of signs point towards the Seattle Kraken using the eighth overall selection on a defenseman, but if they are looking to draft the best available, and Porter Martone was there at eight, they could be all over it. 

"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." -EliteProspects 2025 NHL Draft Guide.

What could steer the Kraken away from selecting Frondell is the simple fact that they already have numerous players filling out this exact role. At just 21 and 22 years old, Shane Wright and Matty Beniers have posted strong results defensively throughout their young careers despite many people hoping for more points. 

The long-term outlook for the Kraken can be seen as Wright and Beniers playing shutdown roles while chipping in offensively and creating easier matchups for the ultra-talented and creative Berkly Catton. Selecting Frondell could move Catton to the wing and create three top-end defensive centers, but the Kraken have been starving for more high-end, skilled forwards. 

If Frondell slides to pick No.8, the Kraken would be ecstatic to select the left-handed shooter. 

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Kraken 2025 Draft Targets: Jackson Smith Next on the list as a possible target for the Seattle Kraken at eighth overall is Canadian defenseman Jackson Smith.

Kraken 2025 Draft Targets: Radim Mrtka The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is 24 days away, and the Seattle Kraken are slated to make the eighth overall pick in the first round.