F Anton Frondell - Djurgårdens IF U16, U16 Div.1 (2025 Draft)

[Nabrules]

This past stretch of games in the best a draft eligible has ever looked in the Allsvenskan. Better than Pettersson, Pastrnak, Nylander, Dvorsky.

 

[Castle8130]

Reminds me of Barkov a little bit. Big, strong, and a 200 ft player at a young age. I believe Craig Button used that comparison

 

[HuGort]

This past stretch of games in the best a draft eligible has ever looked in the Allsvenskan. Better than Pettersson, Pastrnak, Nylander, Dvorsky.

Quite the comparison

 

[LGB]

Yeah he’s going top 5. The question is just how high. Imagine this guy in a few years when he’s even stronger and the skating improves a little.

 

[erikhamren]

Not playing today, no injury but illness. Puh

 

[wetcoast]

Quite the comparison

I wouldn't jump at the comparison though as all of these days kept developing after their draft season and these type of cross year comps are really hard as well as league and team dynamics always change.

I really like Frondell and this club team has some impact players for the future..

 

[Juxtaposer]

Yeah he’s going top 5. The question is just how high. Imagine this guy in a few years when he’s even stronger and the skating improves a little.

Serious question, does that video actually impress anyone? I know he scored four points, but the assists were nothing plays and the two goals were both from the circles completely unguarded on the PP and he didn't even one-time them. Tons of giveaways, fell a lot, and barely carried the puck. #38 is much more impressive.

I can't imagine anyone who watched Barkov in his draft year seriously comparing Frondell to him.

 

[erikhamren]

Serious question, does that video actually impress anyone? I know he scored four points, but the assists were nothing plays and the two goals were both from the circles completely unguarded on the PP and he didn't even one-time them. Tons of giveaways, fell a lot, and barely carried the puck. #38 is much more impressive.

I can't imagine anyone who watched Barkov in his draft year seriously comparing Frondell to him.

He has his moments but not in this video

 

[JadedRandom]

Serious question, does that video actually impress anyone? I know he scored four points, but the assists were nothing plays and the two goals were both from the circles completely unguarded on the PP and he didn't even one-time them. Tons of giveaways, fell a lot, and barely carried the puck. #38 is much more impressive.

I agree, that one game of Frondell's wasn't that impressive despite the gaudy stats.

Just, the sheer quality of Frondell's all-around tools, his hockey IQ, and commitment to defense, are so good that on their own they make Frondell a very, very interesting prospect for teams at the draft regardless of whether he puts up big points or not in the Allsvenskan.

Earlier in the year Frondell was having a bit of trouble distinguishing himself in the Allsvenskan, mostly owing to the fact that he was adjusting to a new league and had also suffered some injuries in the Summer and early in the season that definitely slowed him down right out of the gate.

But in recent games Frondell has started "putting his skillset together" a lot more instead of playing the brand of ultra-safe defensive and possession play that he exhibited earlier in the season.

That has led Frondell to take more chances, to trust his skillset more and hence produce a lot more. But Frondell's blend of offense/defense isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination at this point of his career so there are times when he'll over-commit offensively (or read the play a little poorly) in the Allsvenskan and then get burned, as you yourself saw in the video.

It's all part of the learning process for young players coming into their own, and I for one am glad that Frondell has started trying to push his offensive game more as the year has progressed.

If he continues to develop both ways, I think Frondell could defintely be a #1 center in the NHL with more seasoning/time/luck.

As far as draft rankings go, I had Frondell at #6 for prospects in this year's draft for a lot of the season owing to what I thought would be durability concerns despite higher-level tools than Desnoyers (whom I had at #5). But now I'd say that Frondell would likely be in my top-4, followed by Desnoyers at 5, and then Martone at 6.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I agree, that one game of Frondell's wasn't that impressive despite the gaudy stats.

Just, the sheer quality of Frondell's all-around tools, his hockey IQ, and commitment to defense, are so good that on their own they make Frondell a very, very interesting prospect for teams at the draft regardless of whether he puts up big points or not in the Allsvenskan.

Earlier in the year Frondell was having a bit of trouble distinguishing himself in the Allsvenskan, mostly owing to the fact that he was adjusting to a new league and had also suffered some injuries in the Summer and early in the season that definitely slowed him down right out of the gate.

But in recent games Frondell has started "putting his skillset together" a lot more instead of playing the brand of ultra-safe defensive and possession play that he exhibited earlier in the season.

That has led Frondell to take more chances, to trust his skillset more and hence produce a lot more. But Frondell's blend of offense/defense isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination at this point of his career so there are times when he'll over-commit offensively (or read the play a little poorly) in the Allsvenskan and then get burned, as you yourself saw in the video.

It's all part of the learning process for young players coming into their own, and I for one am glad that Frondell has started trying to push his offensive game more as the year has progressed.

If he continues to develop both ways, I think Frondell could defintely be a #1 center in the NHL with more seasoning/time/luck.

As far as draft rankings go, I had Frondell at #6 for prospects in this year's draft for a lot of the season owing to what I thought would be durability concerns despite higher-level tools than Desnoyers (whom I had at #5). But now I'd say that Frondell would likely be in my top-4, followed by Desnoyers at 5, and then Martone at 6.

I'm certainly no expert on Frondell, and I haven't watched him nearly as much as the top NA prospects this year, but I do try to catch games when I can and see shift by shifts and tournament play, and I just have a hard time seeing high-end upside.

I don't think the tools are high-end. His skating is average and while he is pretty thick, he can't be more than 6'1", which is basically average height in the NHL. I don't think any of his offensive toolkit is great either. Shot is very good, not elite, playmaking is just okay. Commitment to defense is good for his age, but doesn't look to me like he'll be a matchups guy in the NHL. And the fact that he's been on the wing in the Allsvenskan makes me less sure that he translates as a center in the NHL; despite his lesser physical tools, I am 100% sure that Hagens projects as a center in the NHL because of the skating and smarts and care with the puck.

To me, Frondell feels like if everything goes right, he's a good 2C. If it doesn't, he still has a fairly high floor and the versatility to play lower in the lineup and be a valuable player. I'd rank him top-10, but not top-5.

 

[JadedRandom]

I'm certainly no expert on Frondell, and I haven't watched him nearly as much as the top NA prospects this year, but I do try to catch games when I can and see shift by shifts and tournament play, and I just have a hard time seeing high-end upside.

I don't think the tools are high-end. His skating is average and while he is pretty thick, he can't be more than 6'1", which is basically average height in the NHL. I don't think any of his offensive toolkit is great either. Shot is very good, not elite, playmaking is just okay. Commitment to defense is good for his age, but doesn't look to me like he'll be a matchups guy in the NHL. And the fact that he's been on the wing in the Allsvenskan makes me less sure that he translates as a center in the NHL; despite his lesser physical tools, I am 100% sure that Hagens projects as a center in the NHL because of the skating and smarts and care with the puck.

To me, Frondell feels like if everything goes right, he's a good 2C. If it doesn't, he still has a fairly high floor and the versatility to play lower in the lineup and be a valuable player. I'd rank him top-10, but not top-5.

I'm higher than you on Frondell then. Maybe you're right, and I see poorly. Could also be that you're underrating the guy.

We'll only know for sure many years down the road.

But certitudes aside, I just really like Frondell as a prospect. I personally see quite a bit to his game that could track to be high-end even in the NHL.

Direct comparisons are inherently flawed, but for clarity's sake and to get my meaning across more easily, I'd say that I see a "rich man's Joel Eriksson-EK" when I look at Frondell's play and what he could realistically project to be in the NHL.

And that's a type of prospect that I would personally draft VERY high (I was the thread starter for Eriksson-Ek about 10 years ago in the prospects sub-forum, so that should tell you something about the type of prospects that I like).

Moreso given how rare are center prospects with good physical potential, plus the type of all-around ability and defensive skill that Frondell shows.

In my opinion, you either draft those types of guys very high in the draft, or you make do with prospects with more holes in their games/less perceived upside and hope that they stick as matchup centers with good-enough offensive games for a top-6 role.

At the same time, the Barkov comparisons are way overstated in my opinion. Frondell doesn't have that kind of crazy-high potential from the viewings I've had of him. I don't think he'll end up a top 5-10 center in the league even in his prime.

But as I've said, I'm still really, really high on Frondell's two-way ability and potential. I think he could be a stud in the NHL, and the same thing is true for Desnoyers altough I think his tools are a little less impressive in isolation than Frondell's from what I've seen of both.

 

[LGB]

Serious question, does that video actually impress anyone? I know he scored four points, but the assists were nothing plays and the two goals were both from the circles completely unguarded on the PP and he didn't even one-time them. Tons of giveaways, fell a lot, and barely carried the puck. #38 is much more impressive.

I can't imagine anyone who watched Barkov in his draft year seriously comparing Frondell to him.

Eklund is a great player too, although a little older. Comparing Frondell to what Dvorsky was doing in Allsvenskan in his DY is what really impresses me.

 

[lanky]

He's easily out scoring Dalibor Dvorsky, who also played Alsvenskan in his draft year. Similar physical tools - average height, thick like ox, average mobility.

Based on what I've read, I figure that Frondell has a better shot and makes good use of it. Otherwise I see them as similar. Maybe Frondell projects as a Horvat or slightly better, while Dvorsky projects as a Horvat or slightly lesser?

Flame away.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I'm higher than you on Frondell then. Maybe you're right, and I see poorly. Could also be that you're underrating the guy.

We'll only know for sure many years down the road.

But certitudes aside, I just really like Frondell as a prospect. I personally see quite a bit to his game that could track to be high-end even in the NHL.

Direct comparisons are inherently flawed, but for clarity's sake and to get my meaning across more easily, I'd say that I see a "rich man's Joel Eriksson-EK" when I look at Frondell's play and what he could realistically project to be in the NHL.

And that's a type of prospect that I would personally draft VERY high (I was the thread starter for Eriksson-Ek about 10 years ago in the prospects sub-forum, so that should tell you something about the type of prospects that I like).

Moreso given how rare are center prospects with good physical potential, plus the type of all-around ability and defensive skill that Frondell shows.

In my opinion, you either draft those types of guys very high in the draft, or you make do with prospects with more holes in their games/less perceived upside and hope that they stick as matchup centers with good-enough offensive games for a top-6 role.

At the same time, the Barkov comparisons are way overstated in my opinion. Frondell doesn't have that kind of crazy-high potential from the viewings I've had of him. I don't think he'll end up a top 5-10 center in the league even in his prime.

But as I've said, I'm still really, really high on Frondell's two-way ability and potential. I think he could be a stud in the NHL, and the same thing is true for Desnoyers altough I think his tools are a little less impressive in isolation than Frondell's from what I've seen of both.

Totally, and like I said I'm hardly an expert on Frondell so I may be in the wrong here. I just feel like the dozen or so games I've seen of him in the last year or so haven't given me any reason to feel like I see a top-5 pick.

I like Eriksson-Ek a lot and I can see some similarities, but I feel like JEE is a guy who hit is absolute ceiling as a long shot to do it with the skillset he has. I'd buy that JEE with a better shot and a little more physicality is the best outcome for Frondell, but I don't like the median outcome is high enough to make him a top-ten pick.

I think the Barkov comp is doing Frondell a disservice, as it does pretty much every guy ever compared to Barkov. I watched 20+ games of Barkov as a 17 year old in the (at the time) SEL and more than a decade later I have still never been more impressed with a 17 year old prospect as I was Barkov. So any time I see a lazy Barkov comparison for any two-way center with decent size and average skating, especially a Euro guy, I just have to laugh.

 

[NikF]

He's a better playmaker than given credit for I think. And I rarely see mentioned the fact that he has good reach and puck-protection ability, which will become more impressive when he adds more power and improves skating. He's not a pure deke-ing guy but he has good technique and reach (a skill related but not equivalent to wingspan/height). He's one of the guys who could make plays with players strapped on his back in OZ, he already sometimes does it against men (cuts/circling OZ while doing keep-away and he is comfortable on either forehand or backhand doing that). It depends on how much his skating will improve. I see a little bit of Kopitar in his game, a detailed puck-possession player who can either pass or score depending on what the play calls for. It's not sexy but it works. That being said it would be highly optimistic to project him as Kopitar or Barkov. But honestly this class does not feel very strong to begin with so...

 

[VictorLustig]

Totally, and like I said I'm hardly an expert on Frondell so I may be in the wrong here. I just feel like the dozen or so games I've seen of him in the last year or so haven't given me any reason to feel like I see a top-5 pick.

I like Eriksson-Ek a lot and I can see some similarities, but I feel like JEE is a guy who hit is absolute ceiling as a long shot to do it with the skillset he has. I'd buy that JEE with a better shot and a little more physicality is the best outcome for Frondell, but I don't like the median outcome is high enough to make him a top-ten pick.

I think the Barkov comp is doing Frondell a disservice, as it does pretty much every guy ever compared to Barkov. I watched 20+ games of Barkov as a 17 year old in the (at the time) SEL and more than a decade later I have still never been more impressed with a 17 year old prospect as I was Barkov. So any time I see a lazy Barkov comparison for any two-way center with decent size and average skating, especially a Euro guy, I just have to laugh.

Frondell is a way, way more skilled player than Eriksson Ek. I don’t see the similarities at all. Not with Barkov either. I think he’s more similar to Mika Zibanejad, but with better hands/playmaking and worse skating at the same age.

His two-way game is very overrated, much like Leo Carlsson’s was in his draft year. For some reason every Swedish forward with some size fall into the two-way category even though they have never been on a PK-unit or been used in defensive situations in their entire life. You draft Frondell for the offense first and foremost, and the offense comes from his puck protection, shot, vision, puck-skill combo.