Important questions about the Ice Hockey World Cup: is Germany threatened with the flash debacle?

The German national ice hockey team starts with the new national coach Harold Kreis ambitious, but with many question marks in the world championship. The squad has to endure a lot of cancellations, but gets top-class support just before the tournament starts. The opening program is rock hard, the three biggest chunks of the group are waiting right away. We spoke to MagentaSport expert and ex-national player Kai Hospelt about the DEB team’s opportunities and problems.

What is the goal of the DEB team going into the tournament? The direct qualification for the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan/Cortina is the declared goal. Participation in the quarter-finals could be enough for that – but maybe not. Because it is still open whether Russia – currently still number three in the world rankings – will be allowed to play again in three years. A decision should not be made until March 2024, reports DEB sports director Christian Künast. Germany is currently ninth in the world rankings and would have to overtake Slovakia or Switzerland in order to buy the direct ticket in any case. Otherwise there is a risk of a qualifying tournament in August next year. Should Russia remain excluded, ninth place would also be enough.

How strong is the German team actually? That’s the most difficult question, which the new national coach Harold Kreis probably can’t answer yet. Because more than a dozen regular players and top performers are missing for various reasons. Superstar Leon Draisaitl and goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer play for the Stanley Cup, the NHL young stars Tim Stützle and Lukas Reichel canceled their participation, as did DEL veterans such as Matthias Plachta, Patrick Hager or Yasin Ehliz and the Sweden legionnaires Tobias Rieder and Tom Kühnhackl – mostly because of injuries, but not always.

“I think that despite the many cancellations, there is still enough talent in the team to reach the quarter-finals,” says MagentaSport expert Hospelt. The good news of the past few days in particular strengthens the belief that the goals can be achieved. “With the three defenders Moritz Seider, Leon Gawanke and Kai Wissmann, the team gets plenty of quality, stability and an offensive push.”

Why is Seider’s belated acceptance so special? The 22-year-old joined the German team on Monday evening after initially withdrawing injured. After a few days of regeneration and coordination with physiotherapists, Seider turned to the German Ice Hockey Federation again to offer his participation in the World Cup in Finland and Latvia, which begins on Friday.

“I also have to say respect to Mo that he’s coming. We all know his situation. You know what’s coming up for him in Detroit,” said Captain Moritz Müller in view of the upcoming important contract talks with the Red Wings. Seider is about to sign his first major contract in the NHL and would jeopardize it with an injury at the World Cup. “To still say ‘I’ll do it’ – that’s really a strong performance from him. We really appreciate that,” said Müller.

Where does the shoe pinch and where does it not? The preparation was bumpy, also because the squad had changed constantly. Nothing unusual though. In the last friendly before the World Cup against the USA (3:6) on Tuesday evening, all the strengths and weaknesses of the national team became clear once again. “The way the team created the chances was great,” says Hospelt. The expert also sees the fact that she was only able to use this in the wild last few minutes as a major shortcoming.

He expects important support for the attackers from the subsequently nominated trio from the USA. “If they push, it will relieve the boys at the front.” But Seider, Gawanke and Wissmann must not just fall into a stormy hallelujah. Because help is also needed at the back. “The gaps were too big recently, the international players still need little space, something has to happen,” said Hospelt.

Does the national coach possibly notice that he hasn’t nominated the top three DEL goalscorers? circle waived voluntarily Maxi Kammerer, Dominik Bokk and Daniel Schmölz (24 hits each), that seems very surprising. “In a team, it’s always about the distribution of roles. The first rows are filled with top players, with guys who are strong scorers and have already proven that internationally,” says Hospelt.

He thinks about the renunciation of the very accurate DEL trio: “They were there in the preparation right from the start and were able to show themselves. The national coach saw them for a long time and then thought about not taking them with them.” But it is also clear that if things go wrong at the World Cup, if the chances are not taken, “then of course everyone will say that the waiver was a mistake.”

Speaking of national coach: After the very successful years under Toni Söderholm, Harold Kreis is now on the gang, a coach fox. What will be different? After the newcomers Marco Sturm and Toni Söderholm, who led the DEB selection to Olympic silver in 2018, once to the World Cup semifinals and four times to the last eight, one of the most experienced German coaches is on the gang. The 64-year-old Kreis, as a player in eight World Cup tournaments and two Olympic Games, wants to continue this successful work – with a proven recipe: “We don’t have to change much. The team plays with a lot of self-confidence, tries to take control of the game , and has the thought, no matter against whom: We can defeat them.” Hospelt also sees many things adapted from the Söderholm period. “Precisely the drive to play with as much disc possession as possible. They don’t give away the disc lightly after winning, but look for playful solutions.”

Who are the big hopes in the team? This year there is no strong NHL axis, as there was recently with Seider, with super talent Tim Stützle and Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer. Sure please for the DEB team, but also a chance for other players to come to the fore. Hospelt has the duo Dominik Kahun and JJ Peterka on the screen in particular. The former and current NHL player created outstanding chances against the USA. “It’s a couple that I like very much. Especially with Frederik Tiffels, who can keep up with the pace of the two,” judges Hospelt.

The combination with Marcel Noebels and Daniel Fischbuch also has potential. The MagentaSport expert also expects a lot from DEB debutant Nico Sturm from the NHL, but not so much a final action as important work for the team. “He’s very strong in face-offs and in the special teams, he’ll help the team a lot with lots of little things.”

At the start of the tournament, Germany will play directly against the top nations Sweden, Finland and the USA – is there a flash debacle? “I think it’s good when you have to play directly against a top nation, then you’re right in the tournament,” says Hospelt. Nothing is worse than blundering into a World Cup, as he knows from his own experience. “We once played against Italy at 12 noon in a tournament in front of an empty hall. We won, but it was a terrible choke.” Playing against Sweden in front of a full hall in Tampere is also a huge opportunity.

“Nobody expects you to get something there, so you can play freely first.” However, Hospelt also sees the dangers in the game plan. The scenario of being without points after three rounds is quite realistic. “Of course, after that you’re under a lot of pressure because you have to win every game, preferably even after 60 minutes. But I’m not a fan of what-if… scenarios, I prefer to look at the positive things.”

Is the schedule also a chance because the top nations haven’t settled in yet? “No, I don’t think so,” says Hospelt. “Gone are the years when the guys from the NHL traveled to the tournament and dabbled at first. They come and want to give their best.” Especially since many teams also rely on hungry top talents who want to take their chance on the biggest stage. In the USA, for example, Cutter Gauthier and Lane Hutson. For Canada, Adam Fantilli, considered the upcoming superstar. “Of course, the automatisms may not be there in the first few days, but it all happens very quickly,” says Hospelt.

Who are the favourites? After two gold and one silver in the last three World Cup tournaments and the Olympic victory in Beijing in 2022, Finland is currently number one in world ice hockey – and the top favorite. With Mikko Rantanen from the early dethroned Stanley Cup winner Colorado Avalanche, the hosts also have the supposed superstar of the tournament in their ranks. But Sweden and record world champions Canada are also title candidates. But “Team Canada” in particular is still very difficult to assess. “Their squad is still small at the moment, they’re still speculating on reinforcements from the NHL,” said Hospelt, who also has the USA on the list. “They are young and very fast. It’s insane what they can do at a young age.”

Where is it actually played – and why not in Russia? In the Finnish ice hockey stronghold of Tampere and in the Latvian capital Riga. All Group A games with the German team will take place in the Nokia Arena, which has a capacity of 13,300 spectators. Group B plays at Arena Riga (9550). The World Cup was originally awarded to St. Petersburg, but was withdrawn from Russia because of the war of aggression against Ukraine. The hosts of the last two World Cups stepped in as substitutes.