2026 Olympic men’s hockey team preview: Germany
Germany has a history of excellent showings at the Winter Olympics. They had the third-most medals in 2022, the second-most in 2018, the sixth-most in 2014, the second-most in 2010, the most in 2006 and 2002, so on and so forth.
The German men’s hockey team is not part of their medal factory. They were an excellent story in Pyeongchang in 2018 (the first of consecutive Olympics without NHL players), which saw them make the final before losing out on gold to the Russians- errr, the Olympic Athletes from Russia. Otherwise, Germany’s Olympic appearances in men’s ice hockey have been forgettable. In the five instances where NHL players participated, they’ve finished ninth, eighth, 10th, 11th and in 2014, they didn’t even qualify.
But for the first time in the NHL era of the Winter Olympics, Germany has a chance to make some noise. They lack the depth of a surefire medal contender, but they finally have the star power to put up a fight and walk away with their best showing. With Russia banned and Slovakia no longer the international superpower they used to be, sixth place is wide open. And with key injuries on Sweden and Finland, and Czechia being the weakest of the Big Five, there’s some potential to finish higher if all goes well.
Will Germany take advantage of their richest opportunity to finish high in a best-on-best tournament? Or will they leave with a similar showing to what they’re used to?
LOOKING BACK TO 2022
Remember the fun 2018 German squad who won silver? One would think they’d build upon their success in 2022, right?
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. The Germans got a tough bounce with the group alignments, as they were stuck with the Canadians and the Americans (although they at least also got China). Predictably, Germany lost 5-1 to Canada, and beat China 3-2 before losing a tight matchup with the United States by the same score. The Germans then matched up with Slovakia in the first round of the playoffs, and it was another one-sided affair as they lost 4-0. All in all, it was a forgettable showing for Germany and a disappointing one after 2018.
OFFENSE
The driving force of the German’s offense is, of course, Leon Draisaitl. The Edmonton Oilers center is a top-five player in the NHL and is already the best German player of all time. For the first time in his career, he gets to represent Germany in a best-on-best format. Before, his only best-on-best experience was with Team Europe at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, where he scored two goals in the team’s run to the final. Germany’s offense will ride or die with him, as his shot and playmaking can orchestrate offense like few other players in this tournament.
However, he’s not the only elite NHL talent on Germany. Smaller Olympic teams would be lucky to have a center like Tim Stutzle in their lineup, so the fact he’s not even the German’s top-line center is a luxury for them. JJ Peterka is another player who is good enough to make most other Olympic teams, and while he’s not a consistent 50-goal scorer like Draisaitl, he’s found himself in the 30-goal range the past few seasons. Germany will take that as a secondary scoring option. On the back end, this team would be happy with Moritz Seider in a normal season. But they’re getting Seider at his best, as he’s in the running for the Norris Trophy this season and can create offense from the back end.
There are a few other NHL-caliber players in the Germany lineup, but these are definitely fringe talents. Nico Sturm is a solid bottom-six defensive forward in the NHL but is the most experienced player on this roster with two Stanley Cups to his name with the Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers. Lukas Reichel has also spent a couple seasons in the NHL but has struggled to maintain a consistent role. That said, he’s played excellent hockey in international tournaments, and with his name in trade rumors again, there’s some motivation on his end to salvage his NHL career with his performance here.
Josh Samanski transitioned to North American professional hockey this season, although it’s only earned him five games with the Oilers thus far. Wojciech Stachowiak is another interesting name to watch, as he also moved to North America this year and is in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s system, although he has yet to make his NHL debut. Internationally, he’s played well the past few years, along with his likely linemates in Justin Schutz and Marc Michaelis.
And then there’s Tobias Reider and Dominik Kahun, who were middle-six forwards at the height of their NHL careers, but both have played in Europe since 2021. Kahun is long-time buddies with Draisaitl, and the two have played together from an early age, including a brief stretch in the NHL in 2020-21.
It’s not the deepest roster, but Germany has the star power to hold their own in this tournament, especially if Draisaitl is at his best. He’s been accused of being a passenger to Connor McDavid at times, but Draisaitl has 25 goals and 69 points in 63 games without his Canadian teammate in his career. He knows how to carry a team, and this is his best chance to prove it.
DEFENSE
While the Germany offense has their fair share of options, the defense is a bit more lacking. That said, it feels like the Detroit Red Wings have stress-tested Seider for this exact situation. He spent years on an island on the Red Wings blueline, facing the toughest competition while playing with teammates who weren’t high-end NHL options. He’s going to get all the difficult minutes for Germany and might never leave the ice against the United States.
The other reason why Detroit has prepared Seider for these Olympics is, by nature of the team never making the playoffs, it provided Seider the opportunity to play in several World Championships. Chemistry is the biggest strength this German blueline has, and having an NHL star of Seider’s caliber a part of that is massive. Every member of this defense corps has participated in the World Championships over the last several years, so they’re all familiar with each other and know their roles. It’s also a very physical group, so even if their opponent comes out on top, they’ll at least leave with some bruises.
Draisaitl is also a key part of the German’s defensive game, as the development of his two-way game over the past several years will let him work as an optimal shutdown option. Reider had a solid two-way game when he was in the NHL as well, Michalis is also good in his own zone, and Samanski is a pain to play against. It’s a solid group who’s used to playing together, so if anything’s going to work in their favor, it’s familiarity.
GOALTENDING
If this was any other year, the German’s goaltending would be a big weakness. Philipp Grubauer is their only NHL option, and from 2021 to 2025, he wasn’t a good one. His .892 save percentage was the 7th-worst among goalies with at least 40 games played in that four-season span, and his -41.15 5v5 goals saved above expected is the worst. If this was the Grubauer the Germans were getting for the Olympics, there’s a good chance Mathias Niederberger would be the starter considering his play at the World Championships in recent years.
But thankfully for Germany, Grubauer is not having one of those seasons. This year, his .917 SV% is first among goalies with 20 games played, and his 22.2 5v5 GSAx is the fourth-best in the league. He hasn’t merely returned to form; he’s playing like one of the best goalies in the league. If he can carry this heater to the Olympics and steal a game or two for Germany, they might have a chance to go far in this tournament. And like Seider, Grubauer’s NHL squad has prepared him well for the Olympics. The Seattle Kraken have the fifth-worst 5v5 expected goals against per 60 minutes in the league, so Grubauer is used to facing a high amount of chances in a game against NHL-quality players.
COACHING
Chemistry and familiarity is the theme with most of this German team, and the trend continues with head coach Harold Kreis. He’s in his second stint with the German international team, doing so the first time from 2010 to 2012 before regaining the role in 2023. He coached the 2023 World Championship team to silver, which was their first medal in the tournament in 70 years, so he’s well-equipped to guide this team to a Cinderella story at the Olympics. With a lot of the players already used to the systems and lines in place, they’re one step ahead of a lot of teams in that regard. Oh, and one of the few players who isn’t is Draisaitl. He’s not a bad player to just insert into an already-cohesive lineup.
BURNING QUESTION
Can Germany’s stars put this team above the rest of the lower tier? Canada, Czechia, Finland, Sweden and the United States are a well-established top five in this tournament, but the title for sixth-best is wide open with Russia out of the picture for now. Out of the remaining teams, Draisaitl, Stutzle, Seider and Peterka are some of the best players available. Switzerland has Roman Josi, who’s past his prime, and Nico Hischier, who’s two-way game has slipped in recent seasons. Slovakia has Juraj Slafkovsky, who dominated in the 2022 tournament but is still a step or two away from true stardom. Even Grubauer in his current form might be the best goalie of these teams. Their talent disparity and how they perform will make or break Germany’s tournament.
PREDICTION
This is the best team Germany has brought to the Olympics. It shouldn’t be a surprise, as they have four or five of the six best German hockey players of all-time (unless you have strong opinions on Marco Sturm or Dennis Seidenberg). They also have a top-five player in Draisaitl, and at times he’s even the best player. There’s plenty of reasons for optimism about this country’s chances in the tournament, or at least to come away with a better finish than eighth.
But they aren’t the only team with a strengthened hockey program. Switzerland, Denmark, Latvia, France, even Italy are all bringing the best hockey teams they’ve ever iced at a best-on-best tournament, so the floor is raised. One bad game for Germany, especially against Denmark or Latvia in the preliminary stage, and they’re right back to where they started.
That said, I think the Germans’ talent is the difference maker. While I don’t expect them to get a bye into the quarterfinals, I think they’ll at least make it that far. Germany might even manage to sneak into the semifinals with the right matchup in the quarters, especially if they’re lucky enough to avoid Canada or the United States, but that’s thinking very optimistically.
FULL ROSTER
GOALTENDERS
Maximilian Franzreb
Philipp Grubauer (Seattle Kraken)
Mathias Niederberger
DEFENSEMEN
Leon Gawanke
Korbinian Geibel
Lukas Kalble
Jonas Muller
Moritz Muller
Moritz Seider (Detroit Red Wings)
Fabio Wagner
Kai Wissmann
FORWARDS
Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers)
Alexander Ehl
Dominik Kahun
Marc Michaelis
J.J. Peterka (Utah Mammoth)
Lukas Reichel (Vancouver Canucks)
Tobias Rieder
Josh Samanski (Edmonton Oilers)
Justin Schutz
Wojciech Stachowiak (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Nico Sturm (Minnesota Wild)
Tim Stutzle (Ottawa Senators)
Parker Tuomie
PRELIMINARY ROUND SCHEDULE
Feb. 12 vs. Denmark: 3:10 PM ET
Feb. 14 vs. Latvia: 6:10 AM ET
Feb. 15 vs. United States: 3:10 PM ET
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PRESENTED BY DAILY FACEOFF’S OLYMPIC COVERAGE
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