Watch out for Draisaitl, Seider, Grubauer and Team Germany

When people talk about Olympic men’s hockey, the same teams are always tossed around: Canada, the US and Sweden. But in a short tournament where strange things happen, you can’t ignore the one team quietly hanging out in the weeds: Germany. She could absolutely jump in and ruin a few predictions.

And the main reason? Leon Draisaitl.

Draisaitl is a beast on the ice

The man is a beast. We’re not just talking about a bad shot. He has hands, vision and the kind of hockey IQ that makes goalies miserable. That makes him one of the best passers in the NHL – perhaps ever. Combine him with Tim Stutzle and JJ Peterka, and suddenly Germany isn’t just a “fun to watch” team. They can strike quickly and play ugly. If Draisaitl gets going early, opponents could get a rude wake-up call.

Team Germany’s defense and goaltending can also be solid

Then there is the defense. Moritz Seider is a great young blueliner. On the smaller Olympic ice, his size and physical style can completely dominate. With Seider, one well-timed hit can flip the switch in a game. Opponents go from confident to cautious quite quickly. He doesn’t just get into lanes and block shots; he sets the tone and lets everyone know that Germany will not just join in.

And don’t forget the goalkeeper. Philipp Grubauer has found a second wind with Seattle this season, and if he continues that form into the Olympics, he could be the ultimate X-factor. Hot goalkeeper in a short tournament? That’s a recipe for chaos, especially for the teams that underestimate Germany.

Team Germany has Elite stars, but also Elite depth

This is what makes Germany so difficult to play against: they have a few legitimate stars at the top and then this layer of depth sneaking up on you. No, they don’t release four superstar lines like Canada or the US, but guys like Nico Sturm and JJ Peterka can pounce on one little mistake and make you pay for it. The mix of big names plus reliable role players is a combination that people don’t give much credit to, but they should.

So while Germany isn’t the clear favorite, they have the resources to make a serious run. Star power, strong defense and a mix of reliable role players who can catch people off guard. They could disrupt the atmosphere, rattle the favorites and make these Winter Olympics much more interesting than anyone expected.

Bet against Germany at your own risk

Do you want to bet against them? Go ahead, but be warned. This German team could turn many predictions upside down. Keep an eye on Draisaitl; everyone may be eating their words.

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