Attached is an analysis of the top of the draft class by Jason Bukala as published by Sportsnet yesterday. My focus is on Swedish center Anton Frondell as the potential number two pick.
Frondell’s skill set is undeniable: the size, fluid skating ability, and lethal shot are all there. However, he under performed at both the world junior A challenge and the recent U18 WJC. He registered a combined 7 points in 10 games, tournaments a player of his caliber should dominate. What’s more, he was held scoreless in the gold medal game of both of these tournaments, when his team needed him most.
Having said that, teams with a need at center can look to proven consistent performers to fill this role, such as James Hagens or Michael Misa. Alternatively, to Mr. Bukala’s point Canada’s Brady Martin (11th-ranked North American skater per central scouting) just made a case to be a top 5 pick for his all-star performance in Texas.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/scouts-analysis-assessing-the-top-of-the-2025-nhl-draft