National ice hockey team: DEB team without Draisaitl against Danes under pressure

The World Cup turnaround must succeed without the superstar. Before the all-or-nothing game against Denmark on Thursday (7.20 p.m. / Sport1 and MagentaSport), the selection of the German Ice Hockey Association now has to cope with the cancellation of the World Cup by world-class striker Leon Draisaitl after the horror start.

“Who doesn’t want a Leon Draisaitl on their team?” said DEB sporting director Christian Künast after informing the team that they would have to do without the attacking power of the NHL top striker in the remaining four crucial preliminary round games.

“Yes, I would have been very happy about him,” admitted national coach Harold Kreis, whose team has so far defeated the top nations Sweden (0-1), Finland (3-4) and the USA (2nd place) in all three World Cup games :3) generated too little goal danger.

Time spoke against it

The 27-year-old had scored 146 points in his most successful NHL season to date for the Edmonton Oilers, but was eliminated early in the NHL playoffs on Sunday (local time). The fact that the frustrated Draisaitl did not travel to Finland was mainly justified by the DEB with time.

Before “Sunday or Monday” Draisaitl would not have been able to play at the World Cup. It is quite possible that the German fight for the quarter-finals will already be lost. Because the German team has to win the remaining four games against Denmark, Austria (Friday, 7.20 p.m.), Hungary (Sunday, 3.20 p.m.) and France (Tuesday, 11.20 a.m. / all Sport1 and MagentaSport) in order to move into the quarter-finals and have the chance for direct qualification for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. It is very likely that the NHL players will also be there for the first time since 2014.

For top defender Moritz Seider, who had only canceled after the NHL main round, the Olympic aspect was also a reason to take part in the World Cup and help. It is still unclear whether at least NHL goalie Philipp Grubauer from the Seattle Kraken will come after his playoff on Monday (local time), but according to the DEB argument in terms of time it is unlikely. However, Draisaitl’s cancellation did not upset the DEB entourage.

“We respect the decision and are satisfied with the team we have here,” said Draisaitl’s best buddy in the DEB team, Frederik Tiffels, and Kreis was: “Absolutely fine and understandable.”

Kreis is relaxed

Before the first decisive duel with Denmark, the biggest quarter-final competitor, the national coach was relaxed. “Billie Jean King said: Pressure is a privilege. The team is so stable and solid that we don’t talk about pressure, just a challenge,” said the 64-year-old, who encouraged his players after the unfortunate false start at the World Cup a training-free day with a visit to the sauna and a barbecue evening.

“We are all ready now. The anticipation is huge,” said former NHL player Dominik Kahun and defender Leon Gawanke was determined: “Now there are no more excuses.”

Focus on train to gate

In training, the team worked on improving the attacking game and creating more traffic in front of the opponent’s goal – the biggest shortcoming in the German game so far. “Now of course we have to give it a go,” said Gawanke, especially with regard to the disappointing majority game so far.

However, the future Mannheimer discreetly pointed out that Denmark, with NHL star Nikolaj Ehlers from the Winnipeg Jets, is “the toughest opponent of the last four”. “He’s one of the fastest players in the world. His powerplay shot is world class,” praised Gawanke, who recently played in the Jets’ organization himself.