The Anton Frondell era is here.

The Chicago Blackhawks officially recalled Frondell from Djurgårdens IF of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He is expected to make his debut on Tuesday when the Blackhawks face the New York Islanders.

Frondell, 18, was the third-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and signed his entry-level contract in July, but was loaned to Djurgårdens for their season, which ended with a playoff loss on Saturday.

He put together an impressive season in the SHL, becoming just the fourth 18-year-old to score 20 goals in the league’s history, joining Thomas Sandstrom, Markus Naslund, and hockey hall-of-famer Daniel Sedin. He also helped Team Sweden win the gold medal in the World Junior Championships in January, scoring five goals and adding three assists in seven games, earning the tournament’s “Top Forward” honors.

Where will Frondell play?

There doesn’t seem to be any hesitation on head coach Jeff Blashill’s part to make Frondell a big part of the team right out of the gate.

“Based on the level of play he’s had all year, how well he’s played the last part of the year, the fact that there’s zero practice time at this time of year, I’m going to throw into the fire kind of coach,” Blashill said Sunday.

When asked if he’d play alongside Connor Bedard, Blashill said, “He’ll play with a good player, for sure.”

He wasn’t lying.

Here’s how the Blackhawks lined up at Tuesday’s morning skate:

Ryan Greene-Connor Bedard-Frondell
Tyler Bertuzzi-Frank Nazar-Nick Lardis
André Burakovsky-Ryan Donato-Ilya Mikheyev
Teuvo Teräväinen-Sam Lafferty-Landon Slaggert

Sacha Boisvert rotated in.

Frondell was also on the Blackhawks’ top power play unit with Bedard, Nazar, Bertuzzi, and Artyom Levshunov.

What to expect from Frondell

Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects via CHGO: “That guy’s shot, my goodness. He’s doing one-handed backhands from the top of the circle. He is so strong. He is so talented. I think it’s going to be a little bit before we see the finished product in him. I’ve always felt that way. He’s a very physically mature player, but I think his game is going to need some rounding out. When he’s 24 years old, he’s going to be an absolute horse for the Blackhawks. He’s going to be a very, very good player.”

Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis: As confident as they come. When he doesn’t have the puck, he’s routinely scanning for ways to get himself into scoring position. He does an excellent job of getting himself into scoring lanes, especially on the right side. He’s fine as a playmaker, but you’d much rather have him firing shots on net. Still, the dual-threat nature of his game is explosive.

As a two-way force, few players can change the course of play better than Frondell. He’s so physically mature already, and that’s only going to improve as he gets older and more refined. Frondell plays a heavy power forward game, and while he’s not massive, he’s built like a tank. He’s fearless, always looking to do what it takes to win the puck.”

The Athletic’s Scott Wheelervia CHGO: “[The Blackhawks are] getting a super well-rounded, big-bodied, heavy-set kid. The scoring is legit. The ability to pound a one-timer and rip the wrister off the wall is legit. He’s got the ability to play in tight, around the net, on the cycle. He defends well. He’s a beloved teammate. Just an awesome, awesome kid. The big question is…how much offense is there? Is this the 50 to 60 point dominant two-way center? He’s not a natural playmaker. I don’t think he’s going to be a dynamic individual creator or an 80-90 point guy in the NHL. Can he be more than the 50-60 point guy? I think that’s within the realm of possibility. The playmaking needs to become more natural. He’s going to be a very, very good player.”

Be sure to join CHGO Blackhawks for the pregame show on Tuesday at 5:30, then again immediately following the game for the postgame.