It is no secret that this year’s draft will involve some tough choices. On May 5, the San Jose Sharks earned themselves the 2nd overall pick in the 2025 NHL draft, and boy, does the team have choices.
If you aren’t familiar, here is a quick breakdown of a few of the top possible choices:
There’s Matthew Schaefer, an elite skating transitional defenseman who controls the tempo from the blueline. Schaefer is the presumptive first overall pick, so the Sharks would be ecstatic to get a shot at him at second overall. We explored this possibility in a previous post.
Then there’s Michael Misa, who completed an explosive offensive season with the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL. Misa scored 113 points (54 G, 59 A) in 54 games and played alongside another Sharks prospect in Igor Chernyshov.
Other options include James Hagens, a great two-way playmaker with excellent vision and defensive awareness, even if he is on the smaller side and Porter Martone, a large, creative and versatile forward whose biggest downside may be that he’s a winger in a pool full of centers.
It is a solid group of young talent, but who fits in best with the Sharks roster? While all of these players have incredible promise, one sticks out to me for his size, skills, and ultimately the way he can benefit San Jose. Today, I will break down why Anton Frondell fits the Mike Grier style mold and can ultimately benefit San Jose’s future.
Anton Frondell, F – Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
Height: 6-foot-1.25
Weight: 204 pounds
Age/DOB: 18, May 7, 2007
Shoots: Left
Djurgårdens IF J20 (SHL): 10 games, 7 points (5 G, 2 A)
Djurgårdens IF HockeyAllsvenskan (SHL): 29 games, 25 points (11 G, 14 A)
Sweden U18 World Junior Championship: 5 games, 3 points (1 G, 2 A)
Frondell is known for his powerful shot and physical presence. He is a dual-threat forward who combines physicality, intelligence and skill to impact the game in all situations.
His ability to read the play and find soft spots in coverage makes him a consistent offensive threat, particularly in high-danger areas. Frondell’s powerful shot, strong puck protection, and ability to create turnovers on the forecheck highlight his effectiveness as a modern-day power forward.
Frondell’s style and most importantly, size, draws comparisons to recent Sharks additions like Zack Ostapchuck and Patrick Giles and it fits into General Manager Mike Grier’s “type.” Grier likes players recently who can drive the net, win battles along the boards, and contribute both offensively and defensively. It also aligns with the Sharks’ need for a versatile forward who can make an impact in all areas of the ice.
What the scouts are saying about Frondell
Most scouts have Frondell picked in the top ten of the draft, though whether he goes in the top five is up for debate. For example, The Athletic’s Corey Pronman believes that Frondell can be a top of the lineup player, but he’s not a potential All-Star the way Pronman projects Misa or Martone to be.
“Frondell has a ton of skill and a real smooth element when he’s around the puck. He makes difficult plays with consistency and can do so on the move. Frondell skates well and competes hard, often outmuscling others bigger than him,” wrote Pronman. “He’s not a dynamic offensive player, though, and had a few too many quiet games at the international level this season. He has the potential to be a very good all-around top-six center even if he’s often played wing this season.”
The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler also projects Frondell as a second-line center on an NHL team.
“He’s heavy but plays with intention, strength and some power (there are were some questions about his fitness level/weight after the time off but he worked on it and quieted those concerns with a strong showing at the Combine). He’s competitive. He’s excels in puck protection (which, again, we saw more of late in the Allsvenskan regular season). He engages himself on and off the puck, offensively and defensively, to get involved in impacting play in all three zones. He’s got quick hands, a big one-timer, a natural and hard release and a good sense for spacing and attacking. He’s got an ability to both create his own looks, challenge defenders and find and use open ice to play off and to his linemates. He can be relied upon defensively and does a good job supporting play and picking up his assignments when he needs to help out the D,” wrote Wheeler.
For the Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis, Frondell’s floor is better than most of the prospects in the top of the draft.
“Frondell has a fantastic shot release and he’s getting even better at attacking pucks, too. Frondell loves spending time in open space, and I also like that he battles behind the net to get the puck more than he used to. I wish he’d dominate shifts more consistently, but he’s still one of the best players every time he hits the ice. I think the floor here is better than most,” wrote Ellis.
Conclusion
In his most recent season, Frondell has shown significant growth, tallying 25 points in 29 games in Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan league. His recent performances, including a four-point game, showcase his potential to be a top-six forward at the NHL level.
With the 2nd overall pick, the Sharks have the opportunity to select a player who not only fits the team’s current needs but also embodies the type of player Grier has been targeting. Big, skilled and ready to contribute immediately. Frondell could be the missing piece to bolster the Sharks’ forward group and add a dynamic presence to the team’s lineup.
Again, there are many solid options. But if the future is teal, I could see Frondell playing a huge role in making that a reality.
