The Blackhawks Finally Got Connor Bedard’s Long-Term Linemate
For much of the past week, the Chicago Blackhawks have been navigating a tricky “hurry up and wait” game with one of their most controversial prospects in Sacha Boisvert. Boisvert, who was scratched from the lineup Friday before his season at Boston University ended on Saturday, was signed on Monday but hasn’t appeared in practice or a game yet due to visa issues. It’s not the end of the world, but the Blackhawks will hope to use him in the lineup soon, especially since they had to use Dominic Toninato in his place on Friday night.
In the meantime, Chicago got even better news out of its prospect pool. On Saturday, third-overall pick Anton Frondell’s Djurgargen lost in the SHL. The expectation now is that Frondell will join the Blackhawks sometime in the next few days—probably in time to play in three games in the span of four days on Chicago’s schedule next weekend. Frondell already signed his entry-level contract last summer and also took care of the visa process when he did so, so he’ll be available pretty soon.
Frondell, a 6’1” 18-year-old winger, held his own in a tough SHL this season, scoring 20 goals in 43 games. It would be foolish for the Blackhawks to put him anywhere but the top line with Connor Bedard from now until the end of the season. His impressive scoring ability combined with Bedard’s playmaking and passing will be lethal for years to come. The Blackhawks should roll with a top line of Ryan Greene, Bedard, and Frondell to finish out the year.
With both Frondell and Boisvert joining the roster next week, we’ve probably seen the last of head coach Jeff Blashill’s 11-forward, 7-defenseman lineup. It actually makes it easier now that Oliver Moore is out for around the rest of the season—there are suddenly a lot of bodies in the NHL ranks and not many places to put them. Sam Lafferty has been the usual scratch lately, but Chicago will have to take out one more forward to get down to 12. Scratching Andre Burakovsky would be a popular decision and would make sense—if Frondell is taking his spot on the top line and he’s being bought out this summer, there isn’t much use in giving him more ice time.