Two years removed after selecting Connor Bedard first overall, and one year removed from taking Artyom Levshunov second overall, after an attempt to trade up to select Macklin Celebrini, the Blackhawks now find themselves with the third overall pick.
While the Hawks could very well try and trade up, as GM Kyle Davidson has been very aggressive in the draft over the last year or so, it could be too rich for him and the team. Trading up to the top two picks may not be worth it, especially if they can still get a franchise player at third overall, which it is looking increasingly likely that they will.
With the draft approaching quickly, there are a few routes the Blackhawks could go with the third overall pick. This being if they don’t trade the pick, as there have been plenty of rumors that the Blackhawks are interested in moving the third pick for an already established NHL player.
If they do stick with the pick at three, there will be some very interesting options for them. We be covering a few of their options, as there is certainly nothing set in stone as we sit a few days from the NHL Draft.
One of the most intriguing options is Swedish forward, Anton Frondell. Frondell just turnd 18 last month, so his last season was played at 17 years old in the second highest league in Sweeden, HockeyAllsvenskan.
In that league, where he was among the youngest players facing competition that were considerably older than him, Frondell had a very nice season. In 29 games played, he had 25 points, as he had 11 goals and 14 assists.
Two minutes of Anton Frondell's (#2025NHLDraft) best offensive moments from this season.
— Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) June 5, 2025
Blistering one-timers from the half wall, angle-changing releases from mid-range, strong off-puck instincts around the slot, creative finishing solutions from close range. pic.twitter.com/Psm7A0x29X
While he is just under a point per game, this is comparable to and better than some of the NHL's best players who have played in that same league.
One of those players is William Nylander, as he played in that same league when he was around the same age. In his similarly aged season, Nylander had 27 points in 35 games, which would be good for .77 points per game, while Frondell had .86 points per game.
Boston Bruins superstar David Pastrnak also played in that same league at around the same age and had 24 points in 36 games, which was good for .66 points per game. That would be considerably less than Frondell's .86 points per game.
To see Frondell be better than some of the best players in the NHL in the same developmental league around the same age is very encouraging, and he could be one of the best players to come out of the draft. While it is likely that Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa go one-two in this draft, that leaves Frondell at three for the Blackhawks to select.
While Frondell doesn’t have the lofty numbers of a draft eligible player in the OHL or QJHL, he is playing against much older and likely better competition, which bodes well for a quick transition to the NHL.
While there may be some concerns with Frondell, like any other player, if Davidson goes this route, he could end up with the best player in the draft when it’s all said and done. Frondell has one of the best floors in the draft, and that may be hard to pass up with the third overall pick.
