Michael Misa may not be as locked into the 2nd overall pick as we thought heading into the week of the draft. Flohockey’s Chris Peters suggested that Anton Frondell is a real possibility for the Sharks while appearing on Sheng Peng’s San Jose Hockey Now podcast.
During the interview, he mentioned that teams are waiting to see what the Sharks will do at the draft and are unsure of what they will do on draft day. There is a sentiment that they really like Anton Frondell. This starkly contrasts what we have heard prior, with Misa presumably a lock to go to the Sharks at 2.
Regarding the fit for Frondell and the Sharks, there is an argument to be made for Frondell at 2nd overall. He has excellent size at 6’1 "205" and plays a mature and detailed game. His numbers in the Allvenskan also set a league record for a U-18 player, above the likes of Filip Forsberg and William Nylander. His physical profile and elite shot make him an intriguing prospect with tons of promise to succeed in the NHL.
Scouts have had mixed opinions about Frondell in the scouting community; Bob McKenzie and Chris Peters have him in the top 5 on their lists, while Elite Prospects have him as low as 13. Personally, I don’t think Frondell is a reach at 2nd overall. He is a really good prospect with the upside to live up to that projection, but there is still a lot of risk. I am not sold that long-term Frondell projects down the middle, as much as Michael Misa would. While he has the physical tools to play center in the NHL, his style of play and offensive skill set scream winger. He does bring elements to the Sharks' top 6 that they don’t have with his shot and physicality, regardless of his long-term position.
Ultimately, even though I like Frondell and his fit with the Sharks, passing on Michael Misa would be a mistake; his offensive talent and upside are too good for the Sharks to pass up at 2nd overall at the end of the day. And even with Frondell gaining steam, Michael Misa is still very much the projected 2nd-best player on most lists heading into the draft. In any case, the Sharks' choice on Friday has gotten way more interesting heading into NHL draft week.