Anton Frondell will make his NHL debut tonight against the NY Islanders

The NY Islanders will take on the Chicago Blackhawks tonight in a crucial game as they continue to fight for a playoff position with 11 games remaining. The Blackhawks are currently among the league's bottom-dwellers with 65 points (30th in the NHL), but their lineup will be getting a bump tonight with the debut of Anton Frondell.

Frondell to make his NHL debut tonight

Frondell, 18, was taken third overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, two spots behind rookie sensation Matthew Schaefer. He is among the top prospects not yet playing in the NHL, according to Corey Pronman of The Athletic. 

According to the lines at the Blackhawks' morning skate, Frondell will be on the wing of the top line alongside Ryan Greene and Connor Bedard, while also skating on the top power play unit. 

Frondell led Djurgardens of the SHL in scoring this season with 20 goals, potting an overtime winner in Game 1 of their first round matchup against Malmo, assisted by Islanders prospect Victor Eklund. 

Eklund, who played most of the season on a line with Frondell, is expected to join the Islanders organization in the next week, according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.

“He is so good around the boards,” Frondell said of Eklund on his appearance with The Prospect Don. “He is not the biggest guy, even though he is strong, but when he gets into battles, he almost wins everything.”

Tonight is a massive game in the Islanders' playoff push, and one they need to leave with two points. Frondell could see plenty of ice time and will be another player the Isles need to focus on, along with his linemate, Bedard. The Islanders are notorious for being on the receiving end of a player's first career goal, so hopefully they'll be able to keep Frondell off the score sheet tonight.