Is there a chance the NY Islanders could be considering Anton Frondell with the first overall pick?

Since being awarded the first pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, much of the conversation surrounding who the NY Islanders will select has been focused on Matthew Schaefer and James Hagens, and rightfully so.

Schaefer is the consensus top prospect available, and Hagens is the hometown kid. But there is another player who has been surging in the rankings and up the draft boards of teams selecting in the top 5.

Frondell first overall?

Anton Frondell, the Swedish forward who has spent the last four seasons playing for Djurgardens system in Sweden, is a big body who could potentially be NHL-ready next season.

Ranked the top European skater in this year's draft, Frondell can battle in front of the net, using all of his 200+ pound frame. There, he has been known to jam pucks home from close range, or at least make life difficult for opposing defenders and goaltenders.

When he isn’t in close, Frondell has the shot to beat netminders from distance. Ranked the second-best shooter in this year's draft by Elite Prospects, he can score off a one-timer or settle the puck and beat goaltenders cleanly.

Where Frondell struggles a bit is in the transition game. He’s not the most fleet of foot and has not been known to contribute in the same way on the rush as he does on the power play or when the puck is settled in the offensive zone.

Frondell has been the one name that seems to be making a late surge up the draft boards, with Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects reporting that word around the league is that Frondell won’t make it past the third pick. This means he wouldn't make it past the Islanders, San Jose Sharks, or Chicago Blackhawks.

Straying that far off the board would be a massive reach for the Islanders at first overall, but Frondell appears to be someone many teams are willing to take a chance on.