When Olympic men’s hockey rolls around, the conversation usually starts and ends with the usual suspects-Canada, the U.S., Sweden. But in a short tournament where momentum swings fast and one hot line or hot goalie can change everything, there’s one team lurking just below the radar that deserves a lot more attention: Germany.
And if they make noise in this tournament-and they very well could-it’ll be because of one man: Leon Draisaitl.
Draisaitl Gives Germany a Legit Superstar
Let’s be clear: Draisaitl isn’t just a good player on an underdog team. He’s one of the most complete offensive weapons in the world.
His shot is lethal, his hands are elite, and his vision? It’s next-level.
He sees plays before they happen and delivers passes with the kind of precision that makes even the best defenders look a step behind.
Put him on the ice with Tim Stützle and JJ Peterka, and suddenly Germany isn’t just scrappy-they're dangerous. That trio has the kind of speed and skill that can flip a game in a shift.
Draisaitl doesn’t need a full 60 minutes to take over; a few touches, a little open ice, and he’s dictating the tempo. If he finds his rhythm early in the tournament, Germany becomes a serious threat to throw a wrench into the medal picture.
Seider Anchors a Physical, Smart Blue Line
But Germany isn’t just a one-line story. Their blue line has bite, and it starts with Moritz Seider.
The young Detroit defenseman brings size, physicality, and the kind of presence that translates perfectly to Olympic play-especially on the smaller international ice surface. He’s not just clearing the crease and throwing hits (though he does that plenty); he’s reading plays, disrupting lanes, and making life miserable for opposing top lines.
Seider has the ability to set the tone early. One big hit, one smart read, and the momentum can shift. He’s the kind of defenseman who doesn’t just play defense-he makes you think twice about entering the zone.
Grubauer Could Be the Wild Card
And then there’s Philipp Grubauer. Goaltending always looms large in short tournaments, and Grubauer’s recent resurgence with Seattle is a storyline worth watching. If he brings that same form to the Olympic stage, Germany has exactly what every underdog needs: a goalie who can steal a game-or a few.
We’ve seen it before. One hot goalie can derail a favorite’s run in the blink of an eye. If Grubauer gets locked in, Germany becomes a team you absolutely do not want to face in a knockout round.
Depth That’s Built to Capitalize on Mistakes
Germany’s roster isn’t loaded with NHL All-Stars top to bottom, but that’s not the point. What they do have is a balanced lineup with a handful of high-end players and a group of role guys who know exactly how to execute.
Players like Nico Sturm and JJ Peterka might not be household names everywhere, but they’re smart, responsible, and opportunistic. They don’t need a dozen chances-they just need one.
That kind of depth is what makes Germany so tough to play against. They don’t overwhelm you, but they wait for the cracks. And when they find them, they make it count.
Don’t Sleep on Germany
Germany isn’t walking into this tournament as a favorite-and they know it. But that’s part of what makes them so dangerous. They’ve got a top-tier superstar in Draisaitl, a physical and composed blue line led by Seider, a potential game-stealer in net with Grubauer, and just enough depth to punish mistakes.
This is a team built for disruption. They might not have the flashiest roster, but they’ve got a formula that works in Olympic hockey: star power, structure, and belief.
So, go ahead-pencil in your medal picks. Just don’t be surprised if Germany crashes the party.
And if Draisaitl starts cooking early? Watch out.
This team could flip the script in a hurry.