Frondell isn't a very dynamic skater either, his game definitely doesn't rely on a fast tempo. I've had a hard time projecting him TBH, I really don't have much of a grasp on his NHL potential. He's not a dnd or anything drastic like that, but I'm not a big fan.
From what I've seen of Frondell representing Sweden and in the Allsvenskan, I'd say that he actually reminds me a bit of a mix of Ryan O'Reilly and Joel Eriksson-Ek stylistically.
Frondell won't "wow" you with crazy creative or flashy plays every time he touches the puck.
Instead, Frondell exhibits an extremely mature, extremely defensively-responsible type of game with a HEAVY focus on puck-support as a center. And also consistently contributes "low" in the defensive zone to help-out his D partners, shadow an opposing forward, and/or provide pass options.
Similarly, i've found that Frondell has enough patience and composure already at his age to be content with closing things down, basically willingly embracing "low-event Hockey" if the opponent is a strong one and doesn't give him much offensively.
That same willingness to close things down and not take unnecessary risks highlights a commitment to defense and team play on Frondell's part that is rarely seen in top prospects, one that must be noted and applauded.
To add, I actually think Frondell would be one of the prospects in this year's draft whose game would need the least adaptation to fit the NHL if he was dropped into a pro game out of nowhere tomorrow.
When it comes to his defensive game, whether we evaluate reads, positioning, stick-work, shot-blocking, puck-pressure, boxing-out of his man, you name it and Frondell's great at it for a prospect (faceoffs notwithstanding though)!
Simply put, Frondell's defensive tools as a prospect are absolutely ELITE in my opinion, amongst the best in the entire draft this year. And given his blend of size/skating/skill/IQ, he actually projects to be one of the very best centers in the NHL in that regard if Frondell develops well.
But I would also argue that his upside isn't the highest offensively. I mean, I like Frondell's blend of size/skill/skating, his decisions with the puck are quick and generally effective, there's a good amount of sandpaper to his game in all zones, he never backs down from contact on the boards and makes plays even if it means he has to endure a check, he is also a low-key powerful skater, his passing skills are good, and Frondell also shoots/one-times the puck very well overall.
Without going through all the details, Frondell has a lot of high-end tools offensively, and no clear weakness. I would actually argue that Frondell's off-puck offensive play is definitely in the upper-echelon of all available prospects in this year's draft.
But there is not a single component to Frondell's offensive toolset that tracks to be elite at the NHL level and that makes me rank him a bit lower than his elite defensive game should normally warrant.
In terms of pure centers at the draft, I'd say that Hagens and Misa are ahead of him by far given how much more dynamic their offensive skillsets are compared to Frondell. Where I start flip-flopping about Frondell's placement in draft rankings is putting him above or below Caleb Desnoyers as the 3rd or 4th-best center prospect available this year (should add that I don't see McQueen as a center in the NHL given a lack of play-making/defensive skills).
Right now I'd have Desnoyers ahead of Frondell given that he's shown more this year in the Q and exhibits a clearer path to being a strong offensive player in the NHL given what I've seen of the two so far. But ask me again in a couple weeks and my answer might have changed.
As far as pure draft rankings go, I think that Frondell should be a shoe-in for the top-10 or close to it in my opinion.
Center prospects with Frondell's tools, size/skating, maturity, and defensive game are RARE and you must pounce on them high in the draft if you want any chance at getting them.
But that's it from me. Have a nice day. And I apologize for the wall of text but I could not be brief and give the level of detail I thought this response warranted.
