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Time of India
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Chicago Blackhawks sign Anton Frondell to $2.9 million deal as Swedish ‘tank' eyes NHL future
Photo byWhen the Chicago Blackhawks announced on Tuesday that they had signed Anton Frondell to a three-year, $2.925 million entry-level contract, it marked a pivotal moment for both player and franchise. The 18-year-old Swedish center, selected No. 3 overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, has long dreamed of making the jump to North America's biggest stage. Yet even with his sights set on Chicago, Frondell remains deeply tied to Stockholm's Djurgarden—a club he calls home, where he honed his game and made his name in the Swedish Hockey League. It's a rare blend of ambition and loyalty that makes Frondell one of the most compelling Chicago Blackhawks prospects in years. Why Anton Frondell's $2.9 million signing is a game-changer for the Chicago Blackhawks rebuild Anton Frondell , who was born in Trångsund just 10 miles south of Djurgarden's home in Stockholm, has been part of the club's system since he was 15. Last season he played a crucial role in helping Djurgarden return to the Swedish Hockey League after three years in Allsvenskan. He notched 25 points in 29 regular-season games and added seven points in 16 playoff contests to seal promotion. Speaking during the NHL Scouting Combine in June, Frondell showed unmistakable pride in his team. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Women 60+ Are Ditching Pads For A Better Alternative DryGuard Undies Learn More Undo 'Djurgarden is the best team to play for ever,' he said at the event. 'Biggest team in Stockholm, in Sweden. Huge arena, and our fans are crazy. ... It's so cool to play there.' But even as he remains committed to Djurgarden for now, his goal is crystal clear. During Blackhawks development camp this summer in Chicago, Frondell spoke candidly about what comes next. 'My dream is to play in the NHL,' he said at camp. 'I want to do it as soon as possible. So if I get a chance to be at the camp, fighting for a spot on the team, that's my dream, that's what I want to do. If I don't make it, I'm going back to play with Djurgarden.' Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson explained in Chicago why the team was so eager to secure him with the No. 3 pick. 'I think he's a really smart hockey player,' Davidson said. 'I think he uses his body very effectively, especially in battles along the wall. He just has a really projectable game to the NHL. He plays a skill game, he can play a heavy game, he can play it any way you want, and so we're really excited about that.' The enthusiasm for Frondell has been echoed internationally. Before the draft, NHL Central Scouting's director of European scouting, Jukka-Pekka Vuorinen, offered a vivid assessment. 'I would call Frondell a military tank,' Vuorinen said. 'He is a strong player with strong legs, which shows up in his strong skating. He wins most of the 1-on-1 battles with his attitude, power, and quick stick. 'He delivers intelligent passes and is a real asset, especially on the power play. He has a nifty wrist shot, and his one-timer release is solid and accurate. His hockey IQ shines with or without the puck.' Swedish star Anton Frondell aims to power Chicago Blackhawks' NHL resurgence When the Blackhawks put pen to paper on Frondell's entry-level deal on Tuesday, it was about much more than numbers or rankings. They see a player whose gritty, intelligent, and adaptable style is built for NHL demands—whether he's battling along the boards or setting up on the power play. While Frondell is expected to continue his development with Djurgarden in the Swedish Hockey League this season, Chicago fans will be watching every step as their top NHL Draft 2025 pick inches closer to making his dream come true. Also Read: Nikolai Kovalenko's NHL journey hits pause as he signs two-year deal with CSKA Moscow Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
New York Times
26-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Michael Kesselring, Josh Doan fill Sabres' needs, but did Buffalo get enough for JJ Peterka?
BUFFALO, N.Y. — When Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams held his pre-draft press conference on Tuesday, he was short on specifics when it came to JJ Peterka and the trade rumors surrounding him. But he finished his answer by saying, 'We have a plan.' We saw the first piece of that plan late Wednesday night when Adams traded Peterka to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for right-handed defenseman Michael Kesselring and right wing Josh Doan. Peterka, who was unwilling to sign a long-term extension in Buffalo, immediately agreed to a five-year contract worth $7.7 million. Advertisement There's a lot to unpack with this trade, one that will go down as one of the biggest of the offseason. It's not often that a homegrown, 23-year-old fresh off a 68-point season gets traded. But Peterka was keen on a change of scenery. It's hard to imagine he would have taken that same contract extension to stay in Buffalo. The fact that Peterka, who is still four years away from unrestricted free agency, didn't want to commit to playing for the Sabres can be viewed as a legitimate indictment on the organization, one that hasn't made the playoffs in 14 years and is entering year six with Adams as general manager despite going backwards each of the last two seasons. It also put Adams in a position he hasn't been in since Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart asked for trades back in 2021. Adams had to know any trade involving Peterka would mean giving up a player perceived to be the best in the deal, just like those Eichel and Reinhart trades. He also had to know the longer the situation dragged on, the more he risked losing leverage in trade talks. When the offseason started, dealing Peterka wasn't necessarily on the top of Adams' to-do list. Peterka's name first popped up in trade rumors around the NHL trade deadline, but Adams said then that he viewed Peterka as part of the Sabres' core. But by the time the NHL Scouting Combine rolled around, the Sabres were getting inundated with inquiries about Peterka's availability. If Peterka was that unhappy, why wouldn't Adams listen to those offers? Setting aside how Peterka got to that point and what it means about the state of the Sabres under Adams, the question will be whether Adams got enough in return for Peterka. That depends on your view of Peterka and your view of the players the Sabres acquired. In a vacuum, Peterka is the best player in this deal. He had 68 points last season and set a career high with 41 assists. He had 28 goals two seasons ago and 27 goals last season. He's a legitimate top-six winger with the speed and shooting ability to create a ton of offense off the rush. Peterka got a lot of opportunity to do just that in Buffalo, where he spent a lot of time on the first line and got a healthy dose of power-play minutes. It's worth noting, his five-on-five shooting percentage was also north of 14 percent last season. That may not be sustainable. Advertisement Peterka is also not a strong defensive player at this point in his career. Despite his offensive ability, the Sabres have only 46 percent of the expected goals when Peterka was on the ice at five-on-five last season. According to The Athletic's Dom Luszczyszyn's model, Peterka's defensive impact was in the second percentile in the league. Peterka's potential is obvious, but he still needs to round out his game. Here's something else to consider: Peterka while playing with Tage Thompson together at five-on-five: 50.34 percent expected goal share Peterka without Thompson: 42.77 percent expected goal share Thompson without Peterka: 53.31 percent expected goal share None of this is to say Peterka isn't a quality asset, but he's far from a sure thing to develop into a star. Utah is placing a reasonable bet on a player who fits the way they want to play. Meanwhile, the Sabres are adding two players who aren't nearly as flashy as Peterka but who could help the Sabres in their aim to become a more well-rounded team. Kesselring is the right-shot defenseman Adams has coveted for his entire tenure as general manager. He's 25 years old, stands 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds and has the toughness to match. But he also skates well and has one of the heaviest shots in the league. He looks like an ideal partner for Owen Power and is under contract for one more year at $1.4 million before becoming a restricted free agent. Right-handed defensemen tend to be among the most difficult players to find and acquire. The Sabres clearly needed to add a tough defender to their blue line this summer, and Kesselring is that. Doan, the son of former NHLer Shane Doan, had only 19 points in what was mostly a bottom-six role for Utah last season. But the 23-year-old also acquitted himself as one of the most tenacious forecheckers in the league last season. According to AllThreeZones, Doan was among the league leaders in forecheck pressures per 60 and recovered dump-ins per 60. Utah controlled 61 percent of the expected goals when Doan was on the ice at five-on-five. He plays a smart, well-rounded game and has room to get better offensively. He's in the third year of his entry-level contract. Advertisement The Sabres were one of the worst teams in the league at generating chances off the forecheck last season and have habitually struggled to convert chances around the front of the net. Doan can do both of those things, but how big a role he has could determine how much of an impact he's able to make. In a team statement, Adams said the Sabres came into the offseason with the goal of becoming 'more competitive and tougher to play against. The additions of Michael and Josh will help us tremendously in both of those categories.' Another previously stated goal of the offseason was fixing the team culture. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff noted it multiple times during a behind-the-scenes video of the team's trade deadline process. It was a talking point after the season, too. Keeping a disgruntled player doesn't necessarily contribute to that goal. The Sabres have developed a reputation for high-profile trades that don't age particularly well. The list of drought-era Sabres who have won a Stanley Cup elsewhere is a long one. So it's easy to look at this trade and think Peterka will be the next talented Sabre to hit his ceiling in another uniform. But the Sabres are getting back two players who could make them a more complete team next season. The key to all of this is what comes next. The Sabres saved more than $5 million in cap space based on Peterka's new extension. The Sabres now have roughly $20 million in cap space with 18 players under contract. For a team that hasn't spent within $6 million of the cap ceiling since 2019-20, that gives off the scent of a cost-savings move. One way to dispel that is by using those savings to improve the roster elsewhere. Adams still has a lot to get done over the next few weeks. Bowen Byram, Ryan McLeod, Jack Quinn, Jacob Bernard-Docker and Devon Levi are all restricted free agents. Alex Tuch is also eligible to sign an extension on July 1 and that should be a priority for the Sabres. Byram is another name that has been in trade rumors all offseason. Will Adams keep him to have a top four on defense of Byram, Rasmus Dahlin, Power and Kesselring? Or will he move Byram to try to add some offense to replace Peterka's production? Could Adams move the No. 9 pick or some of his prospects for more NHL help? Is there a free-agent swing in the cards? Advertisement The answers to those questions will help us judge the totality of Adams' offseason plan. Adams hasn't earned the benefit of the doubt with Sabres fans after the last five years. And this trade with Utah is a risky one. But it's just the first piece of what should be an eventful offseason for Adams and the Sabres.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL draft news: New York Islanders hold top NHL draft pick as Matthew Schaefer leads buzz with ‘he does it all' praise
NHL-Matthew Schaefer during the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine (Credit: Getty Images) NHL-Matthew Schaefer during the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine (Credit: Getty Images) NHL-Matthew Schaefer during the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine (Credit: Getty Images) NHL-Matthew Schaefer during the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine (Credit: Getty Images) NHL-Matthew Schaefer during the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine (Credit: Getty Images) 1 2 All eyes are on the New York Islanders as the NHL Draft kicks off at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. After a surprising lottery win in May, the Islanders hold the No. 1 overall pick. Their decision could transform the franchise's trajectory, especially with the spotlight centered on one name: Matthew Schaefer. Despite enduring a season plagued by illness and injury, the Erie Otters defenseman remains the highest-ranked North American skater. Scouts praise Schaefer's elite skating, offensive instincts, and mental toughness. The 6-foot-2 Ontario native logged 22 points in just 17 games before a collarbone injury ended his season early. His international performance, where he captained Canada to gold at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup, further boosted his stock. Welcome to the NHL | Matthew Schaefer Michael Misa and Anton Frondell in serious contention While Matthew Schaefer leads the projections, other elite prospects could make the Islanders' decision more complex. Michael Misa, a high-scoring forward from the OHL's Saginaw Spirit, is drawing attention as a potential top-two selection. Still, the Islanders' organizational needs may influence their final decision, with defensive depth a growing concern. A foundational blue-liner like Schaefer might be too valuable to pass up. Even with high-octane forwards available. James Hagens adds local angle and emotional twist James Hagens could offer the most compelling narrative twist, the Boston College standout is not only the top-ranked American player in the draft. But also a Long Island native and lifelong Islanders fan, with elite offensive instincts and two standout seasons on the U.S. national development team. Hagens brings both sentimental value and high-end talent. As the clock ticks down to the first pick Friday night, the Islanders face a pivotal decision: whether they stick with the presumed choice in Schaefer or shake up expectations. Along with Misa or Hagens, the 2024 draft could mark a defining chapter in New York's quest to return to contender status. Also Read: NHL trade news: New York Rangers confirm they are trading 2025 12th overall pick to Pittsburgh Penguins Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
"Doesn't matter where you go; it's what you do after": Joshua Ravensbergen targets NHL first-round draft pick as Canada looks for next great goalie
Joshua Ravensbergen (via Getty Images) Joshua Ravensbergen, the 6-foot-5.25 North Vancouver, British Columbia goaltender, has become one of Canada's standout hockey prospects on the eve of the 2025 NHL Draft. Despite slipping through the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft undrafted, the Prince George Cougars phenom is now estimated to be a first-round candidate, making him an unprecedented Canadian goaltending prospect in a time when top national talent between the pipes has been a rarity. Joshua Ravensbergen rekindles Canadian optimism within the NHL goaltender universe From forgotten junior to NHL Draft news story, Joshua Ravensbergen's path is exceptional. Passed over in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft, Joshua Ravensbergen never allowed the disappointment to define him. Through boundless work and progress, he carved out a spot as one of the top 2025 NHL Draft prospects—this time, as an athletic goaltender who is tough to defeat and tougher to ignore. For Joshua Ravensbergen, this summer's NHL Draft might become an individual milestone—and an emblematic moment for Canadian goaltending. The problem, Joshua Ravensbergen thinks, is limited CHL opportunities and results-oriented development design. But with the new CHL-NCAA transfer agreement now established, he envisions greater latitude for late-blooming goaltenders to come into their prime through longer development. 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Josh Ravensbergen "At the end of the day, it's not really about where you go, and I learned that not being drafted to the (WHL)," Ravensbergen told theScore at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo earlier in June. "It's what team you go to, then you have to work your way up. At the end of the day, it would be cool, but you have to take into perspective (that) it doesn't really matter as much where you go; it's what you do after." Also read: NHL Trade Rumors: JJ Peterka emerges as potential trade piece in Buffalo Sabres' offseason plans Joshua Ravensbergen is not only pursuing an NHL aspiration, he's also shouldering the expectations of an entire nation eager for its next great goaltender. Approaching the 2025 NHL Draft, Joshua Ravensbergen is not only talented, he is also the promise of a goaltending renaissance in Canadian hockey. And whether he does or does not hear his name called on Day 1, his path already says everything.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Flyers Mock Draft: Expert Predicts Philly's Best-Case Scenario
The Flyers could end up with arguably the most talented forward in the draft class. (Photo: Eric Canha, Imagn Images) The Philadelphia Flyers still hold the sixth pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, but this expert's latest mock draft says that's not such a bad thing after all. Much of the dialogue to this point has centered around which players the Flyers are interested in, where those players will fall in the draft, and which teams are jockeying for their services. Advertisement Philadelphia figures to be one of the teams most locked onto a center, even despite their public comments regarding their willingness to take a winger or a defender. Fortunately for the Flyers, momentum is starting to pick up around the fall of one of the very best centers in the draft class in James Hagens. In his latest mock draft for The Athletic, prospects expert Scott Wheeler predicts Hagens will fall right into the Flyers' laps at No. 6, with Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, Anton Frondell, Caleb Desnoyers, and Porter Martone getting drafted ahead of him. "If Hagens gets here, I think the Flyers like him and would consider taking him. Same goes for Desnoyers, whose well-rounded game and smarts could really support and complement Matvei Michkov. But Desnoyers isn't going to be there," Wheeler wrote. "If Hagens isn't, I think they lean [Brady Martin] over Jake O'Brien here in terms of the other centers (though they did take O'Brien to dinner in Buffalo). The pull of a center, and a player like Martin, is real in this range." Advertisement The Utah Mammoth, who pick fourth, are said to be high on Martin as well and could consider taking him inside the top five. Perhaps Utah and Philadelphia are playing a game of chicken with the draft's most violent forward prospect. NHL Scouting Combine: Flyers Draft Board, Targets Taking Shape NHL Scouting Combine: Flyers Draft Board, Targets Taking Shape The Philadelphia Flyers, as expected, had a hectic week meeting with various top prospects at the NHL Scouting Combine. Such is life as a team with three first-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft. That said, Hagens is an undeniable talent who continues to draw comparisons to New Jersey Devils superstar Jack Hughes, who's already come within one point of a 100-point season early in his NHL career. Advertisement Pairing the 18-year-old Boston College talisman with Matvei Michkov will set the Flyers up for offensive success for two decades, and the remainder of the grueling rebuild would then center on adding cornerstone pieces around those two. Defenseman Jackson Smith, a potential top-10 pick, could be a trade-up candidate for the Flyers if management and scouts think he can be one of those pieces. On the right side of the defense, the Flyers have Jamie Drysdale, Oliver Bonk, Spencer Gill, and Helge Grans, so they have no need to force an early pick at this position. Plus, who knows what the future holds for Rasmus Ristolainen? Wheeler had other surprises in store for the Flyers in his latest mock draft (be sure to check those out), but landing Hagens would assuredly be the best-case scenario for the Flyers, who finished higher in the standings than many fans would have liked on the heels of that dreary ending to the 2024-25 season. Advertisement And that dream scenario seems to be gaining real momentum with the 2025 NHL Draft less than three weeks away. For more Flyers news and up-to-date coverage, visit The Hockey News and like our Facebook page. Follow us on 𝕏: @ByJonBailey, @TheHockeyNews
