I have no doubt there’s a lot of chirping happening in the Blackhawks’ room and group chat with the World Junior Championship beginning later this week. As a reminder, the following players currently on the Blackhawks’ roster have won gold at the World Juniors: Connor Bedard (Canada), Oliver Moore (USA), Frank Nazar (USA), Connor Murphy (USA), Spencer Knight (USA), Ethan Del Mastro (Canada), Colton Dach (Canada) and Teuvo Teräväinen (Finland).
If we want to add Rockford, the list grows to include Landon Slaggert, (USA), Kevin Korchinski (Canada), Nolan Allan (Canada), Sam Rinzel (USA), Gavin Hayes (USA) and Joey Anderson (USA).
This year, the Blackhawks will have three prospects in the tournament: AJ Spellacy (USA), Anton Frondell (Sweden) and Václav Nestrašil (Czechia). Frondell and Nestrašil have been getting a lot of chatter lately as the tournament draws near. So let’s get into what some of the experts are saying about the Hawks’ prospects in the World Juniors this year.
Frondell will be an assistant captain for Sweden at the World Juniors.
Årets JVM-kaptener!?#juniorkronorna #wjc2026 #jvm2026 pic.twitter.com/KDxR1jBQzt
— Tre Kronor (@Trekronorse) December 22, 2025Anton Frondell
Corey Pronman and Scott Wheeler at The Athletic shared their top 25 prospects playing in this year’s World Junior Championship. Here’s what they wrote about Frondell, who they ranked the No. 11 prospect in the field:Frondell is a versatile offensive threat who blends smooth puck skills with a lethal shot that can beat goalies from range. He projects as a top-six center who can finish plays or set up teammates, while offering a strong physical presence that allows him to compete in the hard areas.
Steven Ellis at Daily Faceoff wrote about the 15 already-drafted NHL prospects participating in the World Juniors. Frondell was included. Here’s what Ellis wrote about the Blackhawks’ prospect:Frondell started off so hot in the SHL, only for his ice time to diminish in recent weeks. His usage has been odd, but at his best, Frondell has established himself as one of the top 2007-born forwards in the world. With Frondell expected to be Sweden’s No. 1 center, there’s little reason to believe he won’t be a huge part of this team’s medal chase. He’s smart, big, skilled, and has a lethal shot. This tournament should get Blackhawks fans excited about the future.
Sam Cosentino at Sportsnet spotlighted three players to watch on each roster in the tournament — and mentioned both Frondell and Nestrašil. Here’s what he wrote about Frondell:Frondell can do it all. He made a great impression at Blackhawks camp after being taken 3rd overall by Chicago in 2025. While his minutes have been somewhat inconsistent in SHL play, he should play a top role with this year’s national team. He can play it any way you want. He’s strong on his skates and strong on the puck. He skates well, can make plays and really shoot the puck at an elite level. His quiet confidence is very much in line with the typical Swedish player.
Here’s what Jimmy Hamrin at EliteProspects wrote about Frondell in his Sweden preview:Frondell has mostly been advertised as a centre, but has played his best hockey as a winger this season. I also see him playing there long term in his career, as it better fits his toolkit. It will therefore be interesting to see how Sweden will use him in this tournament. He is a creative opportunist who finds open spaces better than most. He is an excellent finisher with elite puck skills. He also adds good size and puck protection to that. He will be used in most situations for Sweden and needs to be a player that steps up in the big moments.
Here’s what Felix Robbins at McKeen’s Hockey wrote about Frondell in his preview of Sweden:After a full offseason and preseason uninterrupted by injury, Frondell looks like he is thriving in the SHL. He leads all SHL players under the age of U21 in goal scoring and leads his team in +/-, all the while alternating from center to winger. Frondell is only 18 years old and still learning how to play down the middle at the pro level and he’s got the right mix of tools to handle the tough parts of the job. He’s competitive, intelligent, and plays a heavy game. He’s an excellent finisher with a powerful shot. The question marks about his speed/skill combo at C are still there, though his quickness has taken a step.
There’s no question that Frondell will be one of Sweden’s most used forwards and top offensive weapons at the WJC. Blackhawks fans are about to find out how close Frondell is to being able to fill a top six center role on the big stage. However, I maintain that Frondell is best suited to a physical finishing role on the wing to a speedier, more creative center. Based on what mix Magnus Hävelid decides to go with on a given night, we could see both over the course of the tournament.
Photo credit: UMass HockeyVáclav Nestrašil
Here’s what Honza Zoufal at EliteProspects wrote about Nestrašil in their Czechia preview:Since the start of last season, Václav Nestrašil’s development curve has been nothing short of remarkable. From contemplating stepping away from hockey, to a mid-season move to the USHL, to lifting the Clark Cup, and now making an immediate impact at the NCAA level, his rise has been rapid and sustained. This season, Nestrašil has recorded 20 points in 18 games and arrives at the World Juniors ranked third among NCAA freshmen in scoring. With his tall frame and versatile skill set, there are few areas of the game where he cannot make an impact. He plays with a consistently high motor, skates well for his size, and actively looks to engage physically, whether through contact along the boards or by driving hard areas of the ice. Offensively, he finds teammates effectively and does much of his damage around the net, where he screens goaltenders and uses his long reach to locate and convert rebounds. Defensively, Nestrašil is equally reliable, bringing structure, effort, and positional awareness. That two-way commitment positions him as a potential cornerstone of Czechia’s lineup and a key contributor in the pursuit of another World Junior medal.
In her preview of the entire tournament, Rachel Kryshak at ESPN.com had this to say about Nestrašil:Vaclav Nestrasil (Chicago Blackhawks) is one of the biggest players (6-foot-6, 185 pounds) in the tournament, and should use his size to be an absolute force. He’s going to be very difficult to defend, and should draw a ton of penalties.
Here’s what Marek Novotny at McKeens Hockey wrote about Nestrašil in his Czechia preview:Nestrasil has taken one of the most interesting development paths in Czech hockey. From doubts about his hockey future to a strong USHL breakout and a productive start in the NCAA, his rise has been consistent. He has a tall build, long reach, and an unyielding work ethic that suits modern international play. Offensively, he excels around the goal, screening goalies, deflecting shots, and fighting for rebounds. He has soft hands in tight spaces, and his passing is underrated. When off the puck, he is disciplined and strong on defense. Czechia sees him as an important winger who makes contributions on both ends and sets a physical tone for top lines.
Here’s what Cosentino wrote about Nestrašil:The more one went to see Muskegon last year, the more they liked this player. Originally, teams were hot to trace Russian-born Ivan Ryabkin as he made his way to North America after plenty of fanfare. Throughout the course of the year, Nestrasil began to steal the spotlight, and it was he and not Ryabkin taken in the first round. He had a good regular season, and his potential was clearly evident. That potential took a step forward in the playoffs, helping Muskegon to the Clark Cup. At 6-foot-6, Nestrasil is enjoying a fine freshman campaign at UMass, where he has an even 10 goals and 10 helpers for 20 points in 18 games.
As a reminder, Scott Powers wrote a nice profile of Nestrašil earlier this week.Václav Nestrašil was thought to be somewhat of a project draft pick for the Blackhawks and someone who might need time to transition to college hockey. He still needs to develop, but he's already further along than expected.A breakdown of Nestrašil ⤵️ t.co/Pf8KFvhdHL
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) December 22, 2025Hence then, the article about blackhawks prospects anton frondell vaclav nestrasil generating world junior championship buzz was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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