By: Eamonn McLean | Follow me on Twitter/X @EamonnMcLean44
The Boston Bruins’ shocking first-round loss to the Florida Panthers in 2023 in some ways signified the end of an era for the original six franchise. The ensuing off-season saw the retirements of both Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, setting off an external search for top-six centers. While players such as Matt Poitras and Elias Lindholm have at times given Boston reason for optimism, no player has been able to stake their claim as the B’s first-line center.
Boston currently holds the fourth-best odds at winning the Draft Lottery, and if the Bruins are to secure a top-five selection at this summer’s National Hockey League, one could assume center would be the team’s number one priority. While centers Michael Misa and James Hagens have gotten lots of attention this season, one player who may have flown under the radar for some is Anton Frondell.
A native of Trangsund, Sweden, Frondell has had a unique draft year. In ten games with Djurgardens IF’s J20 team, Frondell had seven points. Solid production, but for a potential top-five pick in his draft year, you would hope for more. Where things get interesting however, is that in 29 games in HockeyAllsvenskan, the second-tier of Professional Hockey in Sweden, Frondell put up 25 points! Frondell earned Rookie of the Year honors in HockeyAllsvenskan, the same league where NHL superstars David Pastrnak, William Nylander, and Elias Pettersson played during their draft years. He also has three goals and an assist in 11 playoff games, as Djurgardens IF is trying to get promoted to the Swedish Hockey League, the top-flight of Swedish pro hockey, and will also represent Team Sweden at the U18 World Junior Championship, which begins on April 23rd in Texas.
While Frondell is not the biggest prospect in this draft class at 6’0 “and 196 lbs, he uses his size to his advantage in the offensive zone. Frondell has one of the best shots in the 2025 draft class and creates opportunities for both himself and his teammates with powerful one-timers. He’s also one of the younger prospects in this class and will not turn 18 until May. This makes Frondell’s season in HockeyAllsvenskan all the more impressive. Frondell also boasts a strong two-way game, which could make him a fit with a Bruins team that seems to prioritize that style of play. Between his strong Hockey IQ, offensive game, and two-way play, it’s not hard to imagine a world where he could be a first-line center in the NHL.
So, where do the scouts rank Frondell? Most scouts have him as a consensus top-10 pick, with some having him in the top five. Bob McKenzie of TSN has him fifth in this class, while Craig Button has him at number four. Frondell’s draft stock was sky high at the beginning of the season, took a bit of a dip after his time in the J20 Nationell, but has since recovered. He should hear his name called early this June and perhaps it will be by the Bruins.
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