Anton Frondell, Blackhawks' third overall pick, will play in Sweden for Djurgarden next season. He will not join Connor Bedard in the NHL immediately.

Swedish center Anton Frondell will sign an entry-level contract this upcoming week with the Chicago Blackhawks, the team that took him third overall at this year’s NHL Entry Draft, according to Swedish journalist Gunnar Nordström.

After being selected third overall in the 2025 NHL entry Draft, Anton Frondell has reportedly made his plans for the future clear, steering away from Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks for the upcoming season.

We are still two and a half months away from training camp, but a report from overseas says we won’t see the Chicago Blackhawks’ top pick there. A division rival is still pondering what to do with a budding star,

Chicago Blackhawks' 2025 third overall pick, Anton Frondell, compares his game to Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov.

Frondell, selected No. 3 by the Chicago Blackhawks last month, will be part of Sweden’s 25-man roster along with forward Victor Eklund, selected by the Islanders with the No. 16 pick of the 2025 draft. Also at the camp for Sweden will be top 2026 NHL Draft prospects forwards Viggo Bjorck and Ivar Stenberg.