By Russ Cohen
We are having another center debate. This one is Anton Frondell vs. Caleb Desnoyers. The difference with this one, my second installment, is I asked The Prospect Don to talk about Desnoyers and I will argue for Frondell.
Frondell had to overcome injury this season. Nothing is going to linger, and he proved himself fit at the NHL Combine by excelling at the Wingate test, which was also impressive. Or you hear him talk about it. He’s a physical specimen measuring in at just over 6-1 and now 204 pounds.
While playing for Djurgårdens in HockeyAllsvenskan he had 11 goals and 14 assists in 29 games. Frondell added seven points in 16 games. Frondell did that against men but on the wing. Next year he will play in the SHL.
One number that jumps out from InStat is Frondell hit the net, 61% of the time. Desnoyers hit it at 55%, both are impressive. The big Swede hammers guys in corners. He gets to loose pucks first and he has decent defensive habits that still need work at times. His wrist shot is like a bullet and is the best in the draft.
Here is the story with Desnoyers:
Caleb Desnoyers (C, Moncton Wildcats — QMJHL)
6’2”, 172 lbs | 2006 DOB
Desnoyers is a skilled, two-way center with a strong offensive awareness and raw potential that could turn him into a star producer. I also think Desnoyers is one of the best defensive forwards in the entire class. As one of the only true centers at the top of this class, I think Desnoyers is bound to be one of the first Centers of the board in June. After posting 56 points in 60 games during the 2022–23 season, he exploded this year with 35 goals, 49 assists, and 84 points in just 56 games. He showcased high-end offensive instincts, quick hands, and a slick toe drag release. He’s a creative puck handler who can dangle through pressure and owns a sneaky-good shot. His hips give him the ability to change direction effortlessly, and while he’s already a good skater, there’s still another gear to unlock. He has the frame, compete, and hockey sense NHL teams love.
Though the QMJHL leans offense-heavy, Desnoyers has shown a real willingness to track back and play a responsible two-way game. His transition defense needs polish — mostly due to stride mechanics — but the effort is there. He gutted out the postseason and Memorial Cup run playing with two injured wrists, something he revealed at the NHL Combine.
Desnoyers could go as high as #2 overall, and there’s been a whisper about interest from the Flyers at #6 where his brother Elliot was drafted. Personally, I think he goes #3 to Chicago and becomes a perfect 1–2 punch with Connor Bedard. He’s got the production, the pedigree, and the personality, winning both the Paul Dumont Trophy (Best Personality) and Guy Lafleur Trophy (Playoff MVP) in the QMJHL this season.
Both players are impressive. Both are about equal on face-offs. You can’t compare the leagues because the “Q” has its issues. But that’s not the players’ fault. Desnoyers excelled and that’s what you want. Desnoyers can operate with pressure on him – – that’s huge!
In the end, I think it’s a coin flip. I think it’s a choice of your two favorite flavors of ice cream, and you have to choose one. You know my rankings but that doesn’t mean that’s how it will play out on draft day or even in the future. This one is so close and the reason it’s hard is that they have some similar traits and then they shine differently as well. I think Frondell will go a slot higher but I could be wrong. The Flyers, for example, covet both players. If you’re a team that can draft both, you have a tough choice ahead of you.
Desnoyers photo by Augello.
Frondell/Eklund by Sportsology
