Blackhawks about to get first glimpse of Anton Frondell, whose NHL success could determine fate of rebuild

After the Blackhawks drafted Anton Frondell last June, a text from former Hawks forward Marcus Kruger — Frondell's mentor and teammate in Sweden — popped up on his phone.

"You're going to love it," Kruger told him about Chicago. "There's no better city, no better place."

Frondell got a quick taste of that during the Hawks' development camp in July, taking a boat tour on the Chicago River and playing volleyball on North Avenue Beach along with the other prospects. But now he's about to become truly immersed in it.

Sometime this week, during the Hawks' four-game road trip around New York and Philadelphia, Frondell will likely make his Hawks debut.

It will be the most anticipated NHL debut by a Hawks prospect since Connor Bedard made his in Pittsburgh in October 2023. And unlike forward prospect Sacha Boisvert, it won't be delayed by waiting for a U.S. work visa; that was arranged back when Frondell officially signed his NHL entry-level contract last summer.

Frondell's first appearance at the United Center will likely be March 30 against the Jets. In all, he should accumulate 10 or so games of experience before another important summer of training begins.

It will take more than 10 or so games, of course, to determine how good of an NHL player Frondell will be. He's still raw and ridiculously young — his 19th birthday isn't until May 7 — and fans have heard Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson emphasize repeatedly how much patience development requires.

Even if Frondell doesn't make much impact down the stretch this season, he very well could make a big impact in 2026-27 or 2027-28. And even if he excells right off the bat, that doesn't mean he'll dominate in 2026-27.

Just remember how fantastic defensemen Sam Rinzel looked in the final nine games of last season, for example, and how much he struggled during the middle portion of this season. It's an extremely nonlinear process.

Nevertheless, Frondell will be placed under a microscope during the next few weeks, as comes with the territory for a No. 3 overall pick.

It also comes with the territory as a top Hawks prospect, considering how pot-committed the Hawks are to these prospects leading them back to contention.

All of this is becoming reality quickly because Djurgardens, Frondell and Kruger's Swedish team, lost 3-1 Saturday against Malmo in a do-or-die game in the play-in round of the SHL playoffs. Had Djurgardens won, Frondell's NHL arrival would've been delayed.

It was still a successful individual season for Frondell, however, in spite of his strangely inconsistent ice time with Djurgardens, especially during the first half.

He scored in 10 of 18 games during the second half to become the first Swedish 18-year-old to reach the 20-goal threshold since Daniel Sedin, later of Canucks fame, did so in 1999. (It's worth noting Sedin added 21 assists that season whereas Frondell tallied only eight.)

If Frondell enjoys an NHL career anywhere close to as good as Sedin's, the Hawks would certainly be thrilled — even though stylistically Frondell compares more closely to Aleksander Barkov or Anze Kopitar, if one imagines a best-case scenario.

Frondell also dominated in the world junior championships shortly after Christmas, recording five goals and three assists in eight games and leading Sweden to a gold medal. His wicked one-timer was put on prominent display there.

Beyond the impressive production, the Hawks were pleased with how well Frondell held up physically and stamina-wise against top-flight pro players.

"A lot of times with young players, when you’re playing in the top league of whatever country, you can see some drop-off," Hawks assistant GM Mark Eaton said in February. "But he still looks strong on his skates...and he’s still playing with a lot of energy.

"One thing I notice now versus when I saw him in September...[is] he is starting to realize he's a strong player. He’s starting to see that when he has the puck down low and he reverse-hits someone, they’re dropping, and it’s buying time for himself. He’s gained confidence, and he has more of a realization that he can play with the big boys."

As part of the NHL microscope, Frondell will have some questions to answer (with his play) about how his skills transfer to North American hockey. For instance, can he stay consistently engaged every shift, every period, every game during this intense of a schedule?

And how much has he addressed some of the purported weaknesses — acceleration, assertiveness, passing in transition — he had entering the draft? How seamlessly will he fit into the Hawks' speedy forward group, which creates much of their offense in transition?

The addition of a 205-pound power forward with an elite shot and finishing touch should make a big impact regardless of his imperfections, though.

For that reason, the endless debate about Connor Bedard's linemates is about to change. Coach Jeff Blashill has been stubbornly dedicated to Ryan Greene and Andre Burakovsky in those first-line wing spots for months; one of them should finally get demoted to give Frondell an opportunity.

As has been the case for three years now, Bedard deserves better players to play with. He has been dynamite this season — his 1.16 points-per-game average ranks 15th among all NHL forwards — but he would rank considerably higher if he had another legitimate star (or two) next to him.

Just Friday, Bedard showed off his improved defensive instincts to intercept a pass and spring Burakovsky on a breakaway, but Avalanche goalie Mackenzie Blackwood made an easy save and Bedard earned zero points for the beautiful play.

One period later, Bedard set up Teuvo Teravainen with a Grade A chance right in front on a power play, but Teravainen's shot somehow missed the net and Bedard earned zero points for the clever pass.

Could Frondell have converted one of those two chances? Possibly.

It's worth noting Maple Leafs power forward Matthew Knies, a rumored Hawks trade target, would've been even more likely to convert one, and that's something Davidson needs to keep in mind this summer. But for now, Knies isn't Hawks property; Frondell is.

And for Davidson's rebuild plan to ultimately prove successful, he may not absolutely need Frondell to pan out as a high-end player, but he kind of needs it. Roman Kantserov is the only other forward currently in the pipeline whose potential is comparable.

So there is, without question, a lot riding on this teenage Swede. Can he deliver? The Hawks will soon begin to find out.