When NHL draft season rolls around, the spotlight tends to follow the explosive scorers and highlight-reel creators. But smart franchises don’t just chase upside—they look for players who win. And few prospects in the 2025 NHL Draft class check that box more quietly, or effectively, than Swedish center Anton Frondell.
The Philadelphia Flyers have made it clear: they’re building a new identity, one rooted in pace, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability. And if GM Daniel Brière and company are looking for a future shutdown center with pro habits and leadership already built in, Frondell could be a perfect target.
A Glimpse at Frondell’s Game
While his offensive ceiling may not be elite yet, Frondell shines in the finer details of the game. He’s an advanced thinker, frequently positioned in the right spot, making smart reads in all three zones. Whether it’s disrupting a cycle, supporting his defense low, or managing a line change with poise, Frondell plays the kind of mature game that earns a coach’s trust early.
Scouting the Strengths
Frondell’s greatest asset is his hockey IQ. He processes plays quickly, adapts to his teammates, and doesn’t try to do too much. Offensively, he supports the puck well, distributes with efficiency, and protects the puck using smart body positioning. His vision and patience allow him to slow the game down and make poised decisions under pressure.
Defensively, Frondell already plays like a seasoned pro. He tracks back hard in transition, reads developing plays well, and breaks them up before they become dangerous. He also excels in the faceoff circle—a skill the Flyers have long valued—while his ability to kill penalties at a high level gives him a clear path to an NHL roster.
One area that divides scouts is his skating. While not explosive, Frondell’s stride is fluid and powerful. He maintains good balance and edge control, and while he won’t blow defenders away with speed, he’s rarely caught behind the play.
Just as importantly, he brings leadership pedigree. Frondell captained Sweden at the U18 level, earning praise for his maturity, professionalism, and approach to the game. Those intangibles, paired with his on-ice value, make him an ideal “glue guy” for a contending lineup.
NHL Comparables: Couturier, Landeskog, Eriksson Ek
While every prospect carves their own path, Frondell’s game draws natural comparisons to players like Sean Couturier—not for his scoring, but for his defensive awareness, intelligence, and ability to take tough minutes against top lines. His demeanor and two-way consistency also resemble Gabriel Landeskog, especially in terms of leadership and reliability, while his style of play mirrors Joel Eriksson Ek: a physically-engaged, matchup-ready center who contributes to winning in subtle but crucial ways.
Why He Fits the Flyers
The Flyers are beginning to assemble a forward core centered around high-skill talent like Matvei Michkov, Owen Tippett, Travis Konecny, and Tyson Foerster. That kind of firepower needs structure, and Frondell offers it in spades.
He projects as a top-six center who can kill penalties, win key draws, and help shut down opposing stars—while also contributing secondary offense. His style would complement Philadelphia’s young scorers, giving the Flyers a foundation down the middle that doesn’t rely solely on Couturier staying healthy or Cates taking another leap.
Perhaps most importantly, Frondell doesn’t need power-play time or offensive-zone starts to impact the game. He’s the kind of player who quietly drives winning and becomes a coach’s favorite.
Projected Draft Range
Frondell is ranked anywhere between from 3rd to 6th overall. The Flyers currently hold a the fourth best lottery odds in this summers draft —making him a realistic and compelling option if still on the board.
And while flashy picks dominate draft headlines, Frondell is the kind of selection that pays off when playoff hockey arrives. Every successful team needs a player like him—and if Philadelphia’s rebuild is going to last, it’ll need glue guys to hold the high-end talent together.
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