Blackhawks Sign Top Prospect Frondell to Boost Top Line with Bedard

Chicago adds highly-touted Swedish winger to play alongside star center Bedard.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 9:09pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed top prospect Anton Frondell, a 6'1" 18-year-old Swedish winger, to boost their top line alongside star center Connor Bedard. Frondell, the team's third-overall pick last year, scored 20 goals in 43 games in the SHL this season and is expected to join the Blackhawks lineup in the coming days. The Blackhawks are hoping Frondell's scoring ability combined with Bedard's playmaking will form a lethal top line pairing to finish out the season.

Why it matters

The Blackhawks have been searching for the right linemate to complement Bedard, their franchise centerpiece, and Frondell's arrival provides that perfect fit. As the team continues its rebuild, developing chemistry between Bedard and Frondell could pay dividends for years to come.

The details

Frondell, who signed his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks last summer, is expected to join the team's lineup in the next few days after his Swedish club Djurgargen was eliminated from the SHL playoffs. The Blackhawks had been using Dominic Toninato in Frondell's place, but the team is eager to get the highly-touted prospect into the lineup alongside Bedard on the top line. Chicago will likely have to scratch one more forward, potentially Andre Burakovsky, to make room for Frondell's addition.

  • On Saturday, Frondell's Djurgargen team was eliminated from the SHL playoffs.
  • Frondell is expected to join the Blackhawks lineup in the next few days.

The players

Anton Frondell

A 6'1" 18-year-old Swedish winger who was the Blackhawks' third-overall pick in last year's draft. He scored 20 goals in 43 games in the SHL this season.

Connor Bedard

The Blackhawks' franchise centerpiece and top-line center who the team is hoping Frondell can form a lethal scoring duo with.

Andre Burakovsky

A veteran forward who may be the odd man out of the Blackhawks' lineup to make room for Frondell's addition.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Blackhawks will look to get Frondell into the lineup as soon as possible, likely in time for their three-games-in-four-days stretch next weekend.

The takeaway

The addition of Frondell to play alongside Bedard on the Blackhawks' top line represents a significant step forward in the team's rebuild, pairing two of their top young talents together to build chemistry and form a potent scoring duo for the future.