{"id":454119,"date":"2026-02-11T06:05:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T06:05:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/454119\/"},"modified":"2026-02-11T06:05:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T06:05:13","slug":"watch-out-for-draisaitl-seider-grubauer-and-team-germany","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/454119\/","title":{"rendered":"Watch Out for Draisaitl, Seider, Grubauer and Team Germany"},"content":{"rendered":"

When people talk about Olympic men\u2019s hockey, the same teams always get tossed around \u2013 Canada, the U.S., and Sweden. But in a short tournament where weird things happen, you can\u2019t ignore the one team quietly hanging around in the weeds: Germany. They could absolutely jump in<\/a> and ruin a few predictions.<\/p>\n

And the main reason? Leon Draisaitl<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Draisaitl Is a Beast on the Ice<\/p>\n

The guy\u2019s a beast. We\u2019re not just talking a wicked shot. He\u2019s got hands, vision, and the kind of hockey IQ that makes goalies miserable. That makes him one of the best passers in the NHL \u2013 perhaps ever. Pair him up with Tim Stutzle<\/a> and JJ Peterka<\/a>, and suddenly Germany isn\u2019t just a \u201cfun to watch\u201d team. They can strike fast and play ugly. If Draisaitl hits his stride early, opposing squads could be in for a rude wake-up call.<\/p>\n

Team Germany\u2019s Defence and Goalie Play Can Also Be Solid<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s the defence. Moritz Seider<\/a> is a great young blueliner. On the smaller Olympic ice, his size and physical style can totally dominate. With Seider, one well-timed hit can flip the switch in a game. Opposing forwards go from confident to cautious pretty quickly. He\u2019s not only getting in lanes and blocking shots; he\u2019s laying down the tone and letting everyone know Germany isn\u2019t just along for the ride.<\/p>\n

\"LeonLeon Draisaitl is a great player for the Edmonton Oilers.<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t overlook the goalie. Philipp Grubauer has found a second wind this season with Seattle, and if he carries that form into the Olympics, he could be the ultimate X-factor. Hot goalie in a short tournament? That\u2019s a recipe for chaos, especially for the teams that underestimate Germany.<\/p>\n

Team Germany Has Elite Stars, But Also Elite Depth<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what makes Germany such a headache to play against: they\u2019ve got a couple of legit stars at the top and then this layer of depth that sneaks up on you. No, they don\u2019t roll out four superstar lines like Canada or the U.S., but guys like Nico Sturm<\/a> and JJ Peterka can jump on one little mistake and make you pay for it. The mix of big names plus dependable role players is a combo people aren\u2019t giving much credit to, but they should.<\/p>\n

So, while Germany isn\u2019t the obvious favourite, they\u2019ve got the tools to make a serious run. Star power, tough defence, and a mix of reliable role players that could catch people off guard. They could upset the bracket, rattle the favourites, and make this Winter Olympics way more interesting than anyone expected.<\/p>\n

Bet Against Germany at Your Own Risk<\/p>\n

Want to bet against them? Go ahead, but be warned. This German squad could turn many predictions upside down. Keep an eye on Draisaitl\u2014they might just make everyone eat their words.<\/p>\n

Related: Do the Oilers Have What It Takes to Land a \u201cPerfect Fit\u201d from the Senators?<\/a><\/p>\n

\tDiscover more from NHL Trade Talk<\/p>\n

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