Blackhawks find Bedard a linemate at NHL Draft and fans should be thrilled

The Chicago Blackhawks selected Anton Frondell with the 3rd overall pick at the NHL Draft, bringing a new level of toughness and a diverse range of skills to the lineup. This solidifies what fans already knew about the Blackhawks plans for the future, which include more balanced roster on the ice every night -- and finding a linemate for young phenom Connor Bedard.  

Scouts couldn’t agree on where to rank Frondell — he was projected to go No. 4 by TSN, No. 5 by Daily Faceoff, No. 6 by NHL.com, and No. 13 by Elite Prospects. But this further proves that there is always a level of unpredictability when draft day finally arrives, and the GM Kyle Davidson and the Hawks are taking a little bit of a risk. It's one that will surely pay off based on what Frondell has put on display thus far.

Frondell’s style of play is defined by nearly immovable puck possession, made possible by his size at 6’1” and 204 lb. He is not one to shy away from playing a physical game, but he doesn’t engage for the sake of it; rather, Frondell wisely times when to play the body when it will benefit him most, like shaking off defenders or winning board battles. 

Beyond that, though, Frondell's shooting ability is second to none in this draft class. He can find a shooting lane from any location, making himself free for passes and accurately hitting the net more often than not. His speedy reaction time allows him to catch goalies off guard, while his netfront presence and fast instincts help him to clean up in the crease.

When looking at the Chicago lineup, the roster is packed with playmakers: Bedard, first and foremost, but also Frank Nazar. Frondell is versatile in that he can play both center and wing when called upon, though he is more natural down the middle, especially thanks to his two-way game. 

Frondell would fit in perfectly with the young members of the Blackhawks top six because they are all dynamic forwards with an eye for where their teammates are at any given moment. Chicago's latest draft pick would be able to free up space and open up lanes for Bedard, while sporting a nasty shot that is laser-accurate from anywhere on the ice but particularly strong in front of the net. 

Frondell had a standout performance at the NHL Scouting Combine, particularly on the stationary bike. The Swedish center had the best score in the aerobic fitness category, which measures oxygen levels to determine endurance. He also ranked third in peak power output and ninth in mean power output on the bike, which tests how much an athlete can exert in short intervals (like an NHL shift). 

A skater built for NHL action, Frondell is still probably a year away from making his North American debut. The most likely scenario is that he returns to Sweden to play for Djurgården, which will be a part of the country’s top hockey league for the upcoming season, giving him the chance to develop his skills against older and more competitive opponents like he will soon face in the NHL. 

Frondell has big shoes to fill, as the Blackhawks legend Jonathan Toews was selected third overall almost 20 years ago in the 2006 NHL Draft. He may not become a franchise superstar and potential Hall of Famer, but Frondell's skillset will surely work wonders alongside a talented skater like Bedard.