Latest news with #AntonFrondell
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ex-Hab Signs Two-Year Deal In Sweden
American-born Finnish right winger Jesse Ylönen, 25, has signed a two-year contract with Djurgården IF, the Stockholm-based SHL club announced on Tuesday. 'It's an honor to get the chance in such a legendary team,' said Ylönen. 'I know how much hockey means in Stockholm. I've heard that they have the best fans and the loudest arena in the league.' 'This is a really exciting player who has played a number of seasons in North America and a number of games with Montreal,' said Djurgården sports director Niklas Wikegård. 'Jesse is only 25 years old and, like the entire club, is in a phase where he wants to get better. We do not see him as a finished product, but as a player who we believe can take his game to the next level with good training and under good leadership.' Ylönen was born in Scottsdale, Ariz. in 1999 while his father, Juha Ylönen, was a player for the Phoenix Coyotes. He was raised in the Helsinki suburb of Espoo, where he played for the local Blues club, before playing three Liiga seasons for the Lahti Pelicans, recording 57 points in 130 regular-season and playoff games. Ylönen was chosen in the second round, 58th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Between 2021 and 2024, he played in 111 NHL games for the Habs, recording 29 points and 14 penalty minutes, but spent the majority of the time with the AHL's Laval Rocket. Ylönen split the 2024-25 season between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators organizations, but did not play any NHL games with either team. Ylönen joins a Djurgården team that just earned a promotion from the HockeyAllsvenskan and is in the process of building a competitive SHL roster. The team will have the consensus top-two ranked European draft prospects in 18-year-olds Anton Frondell and Victor Eklund, as well as veteran center Marcus Krüger, who was a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks. 'Exciting times await Djurgården and I look forward to being a part of it,' said Ylönen. Photo © David Kirouac-Imagn Images Djurgarden Pair Leads NHL Central Scouting 2025 Final European Skater Rankings NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on Tuesday and, among the international skaters, to no one's surprise, the Djurgården pair of center Anton Frondell and right winger Victor Eklund top the list.
New York Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Why Anton Frondell is 2025 NHL Draft's most difficult top prospect to evaluate
Evaluating Anton Frondell ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft is anything but straightforward. Depending on who you ask in the NHL, he's either a future franchise center or a solid middle-six contributor. Scouts are split, with some seeing him worthy of a top-three selection, while others view him somewhere between six and 10. Advertisement The variance in opinion stems from Frondell's Jekyll-and-Hyde spectrum of performances over the past two years. All players have good games/events and bad ones, but Frondell's have been more pronounced than usual. On his best nights, Frondell looks like a player who can tilt the ice in his favor. His season in the Allsvenskan with Djurgården was a major selling point: 25 points in 29 games against men, production comparable to what William Nylander and David Pastrnak posted at similar stages and slightly behind Elias Pettersson's Allsvenskan numbers in his draft season. That's elite company and a big reason why some scouts are bullish on him. As a 16-year-old, his numbers in Sweden's top junior level were among the best in recent memory. On the international stage, he showed he could rise to the occasion, most notably at the U18 Five Nations tournament in February 2024, where he scored two clutch late goals to upset the United States on their home ice. Moments like that reinforce the belief that Frondell has the potential to be a true difference-maker. However, inconsistencies have clouded his evaluation. Despite strong performances in some tournaments, Frondell had forgettable showings in others, even against relatively modest competition. For instance, during the U18 Five Nations tournaments in both November and February, he was a mixed bag, producing some strong games but also disappearing at times. His production against U18 players was actually worse in his draft season than in his draft-minus-one season. At the 2024 World Junior A Challenge, he was solid but unspectacular as a 17-year-old, tallying just four points in five games against a fairly average talent pool. He also didn't even touch a point/game against in Sweden's top junior league in 10 games played this season. Advertisement During the spring playoffs with Djurgården, fellow draft-eligible Victor Eklund earned regular minutes, but Frondell's ice time shrank. After Djurgården secured promotion to the SHL, Frondell joined Sweden's roster at the U18 World Championship. Expectations were high, but he registered only three points in five games and didn't make a major impact, even though he faced strong opposition, arriving just in time for the medal round. Compared to draft-eligible peers like James Hagens and Porter Martone (who are late 2006s like Eklund while Frondell is a 2007), who dominated the previous year's tournament, Frondell's modest output stood out for the wrong reasons. The Frondell debate ultimately boils down to two interpretations of his skill set: Case for optimism: Frondell has NHL-caliber tools. He's a strong skater, a highly skilled puck handler and a player who competes hard and doesn't shy away from physicality. His shot is high-end, with a release and velocity that can beat NHL goalies from distance. He also has the playmaking ability to facilitate offense. Scouts who are high on Frondell view his production in the Allsvenskan as a sign that he can handle difficult competition and believe that with time, he will iron out the inconsistencies. There's also the matter of Frondell's season arc. He started slowly, partly due to injury, but found his stride in the second half against men. The Frondell bulls see a player similar to Anze Kopitar or Aleksander Barkov — a big, responsible, two-way center who can anchor a top line and a guy you win with in the playoffs. They also caution about overreacting to his U18 World Championships, as players who were great against men but had a bad tournament, such as Pastrnak and Martin Necas, tend to slide in their draft years after a poor ending to their season. Case for caution: On the flip side, skeptics point to the uneven performances, particularly internationally, and concerns about his hockey sense. In games where Frondell isn't at his best, he can fade into the background. On his off nights, he doesn't look like a true play driver and can be someone who leans on his linemates to get him the puck in scoring positions. This leads some to project him more as a very good second-line center who brings size, compete and scoring punch but doesn't consistently tilt the ice like a franchise player. Names like Bo Horvat and Anton Lundell are thrown around for this side of the coin — who are still excellent players, mind you. Colleague Max Bultman noted Frondell's inconsistencies are similar to those of Elias Pettersson in his draft season. Pettersson ended up becoming a great player but those issues have lingered in his NHL career. Frondell's evaluation ultimately comes down to the interpretation of the data. You can view the exact same information as someone else, and tilt your head in a slightly different direction to look at it and come to a different conclusion. If you believe his flashes of high-end production and mature, translatable game against men are signs of a potential hard-to-play-against No. 1 NHL center, he's worth a top-three pick and potentially the No. 2 pick after Erie's Matthew Schaefer. Advertisement If you're more concerned about his streakiness and lack of dynamic, game-breaking traits, he fits more comfortably as a top-six center — valuable, but not necessarily someone to form your rebuild around. Personally, I lean toward the latter camp. Frondell has the potential to be a very good second-line center on a contending team. He's skilled, strong and competes hard, but over two years of viewings, the high-end offensive displays haven't been consistent enough to put him in the same category as someone like Michael Misa, who is a better athlete and much more consistent producer. That said, Frondell is still an excellent prospect and a true premium young center talent. Frondell embodies the complexity of projecting 17-year-olds into the NHL. There are a lot of variables that go into the mix between the physical maturity, the offensive tools, the character and the body of work can comprise over 100 games at varying levels of competition with different levels of stakes. I won't blink if Frondell is the second player picked, and similarly I won't if he goes seventh. His resume has the highest degree of uncertainty this year among the top prospects in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Mock draft sparks surprise with Anton Frondell to Blackhawks
An overall view of a Chicago Blackhawks logo (Credit: Getty Image) Anton Frondell #15 of Team Sweden skates with the puck during U18 Five Nations Tournament (Credit: Getty Image) An overall view of a Chicago Blackhawks logo (Credit: Getty Image) Anton Frondell #15 of Team Sweden skates with the puck during U18 Five Nations Tournament (Credit: Getty Image) An overall view of a Chicago Blackhawks logo (Credit: Getty Image) 1 2 As the NHL offseason unfolds. The attention has turned to mock drafts and speculation. Also the Chicago Blackhawks , holding the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft . This has yet to reveal their direction, as no coaching decisions have been announced, and team strategy remains under wraps. Chicago's silence fuels deeper speculation 2025 NHL Draft : Anton Frondell - 24-25 Highlights Unlike past offseasons, the Blackhawks have remained particularly quiet. No front-office leaks, no roster shakeups, and no definitive scouting patterns. This silence has only fueled theories about what the organization might be planning. Frondell's mention in early predictions may offer clues. Selecting a European prospect known for consistency over flash could indicate a shift toward foundational players instead of headline-makers. It suggests the team values steady development and long-term chemistry over immediate impact. Frondell's style complements a rebuilding core An overall view of a Chicago Blackhawks logo (Credit: Getty Image) What makes Frondell a compelling choice is his fit. He brings a composed presence to the ice, reading plays and adjusting in real time. His ability to find open space, create scoring chances, and hold his own defensively adds value beyond stats. The Blackhawks already have a young core forming. Adding Frondell would bring balance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo While he might not be a franchise face on day one, he could grow into a centerpiece. His hockey IQ and adaptability set him apart in a class full of skill. This potential pick points to a mindset shift The mention of Anton Frondell at No. 3 may seem surprising at first glance. But it reflects a team possibly leaning into a more thoughtful, long-game draft philosophy. The Blackhawks have been through waves of change since their last era of dominance. With their current roster not built for quick wins, adding a player like Frondell suggests commitment to culture and consistency. Read more: Nikita Grebenkin and his rise to NHL prospect Anton Frondell's appearance in a recent mock draft as the Blackhawks' projected pick may have surprised some, but it also opened the door to a broader understanding of Chicago's possible intentions. Rather than chase instant headlines, the franchise seems to be embracing stability and smart development. If this direction holds, the Blackhawks may be building a foundation capable of lasting success. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
New York Times
15-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Matthew Schaefer, Anton Frondell lead NHL Central Scouting's final 2025 NHL Draft rankings
NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft class on Tuesday morning. Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer and Saginaw Spirit exceptional status center Michael Misa headlined the list of North American skaters, while Djurgarden center Anton Frondell leapfrogged teammate Victor Eklund for the top spot on the list of international skaters. Here are the rankings and some takeaways from The Athletic's draft experts, Corey Pronman and Scott Wheeler. NHL Central Scouting has released its final rankings presented by BODYARMOR Sports Drink for the 2025 Upper Deck #NHLDraft: No. 1 N.A. Skater: Matthew SchaeferNo. 1 ITL Skater: Anton Frondell Full rankings: — NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) April 15, 2025 Top North American goalie: Joshua Ravensbergen (Prince George, WHL) Top international goalie: Pyotr Andreyanov (CSKA, MHL) Jake O'Brien's rise into the top five players in North America tracks from what I've seen and heard from NHL sources. I don't know if I personally would have him there yet, but he's close. He's a 6-foot-2 right-shot center with high-end offensive traits. He started the season off slow but has been great in recent months. His trajectory reminds me in some ways of Beckett Sennecke's last year. Caleb Desnoyers, in my view, is being underrated. He's the best player on arguably the best team in the CHL, and I expect he'll be a top-five pick on draft day. He's a center who does everything well. He has a lot of offense and a great motor. There has been a lot of debate amongst scouts this year as to who the second-best D in the draft is, and so the rankings of the next cluster of consensus North American D was the first place I looked. Removing their ranking on the overall list, the top five D in North America were slotted as follows: Mrtka was their No. 2 D at midseason as well, but Aitcheson jumped past both Hensler and Smith on the final list. He's viewed as a pretty singular D in this class and, with Brady Martin, one of its fiercest competitors. He finished the season really strong and has been excellent in the OHL playoffs for Barrie, too. Scouts still covet his throwback brand of hockey. Advertisement People will notice Porter Martone's slip from No. 4 in North America at midseason to No. 6 here as well. He got off to a torrid start but plateaued in the second half. Scouts like his combination of size, skill and competitiveness but there are some concerns about his skating/pace. I was happy to see Ryker Lee rise from No. 40 to No. 28 in North America. I'm very high on his skill level. (Photo of Matthew Schaefer: Dennis Pajot / Getty Images)
