The German national ice hockey team is facing a period of uncertainty regarding its star power as the 2026 IIHF World Championship approaches. Following an early playoff exit for the Edmonton Oilers, Leon Draisaitl has left his participation in the tournament open, citing ongoing concerns with a knee injury.
Die NHL-Saison für Leon Draisaitl ist ungewohnt früh vorbei. Das ist theoretisch gut für die Nationalmannschaft. Was der Eishockey-Star zu einer WM-Teilnahme sagt.
NHL-Star Leon Draisaitl hat eine Teilnahme an der Eishockey-Weltmeisterschaft nach dem frühen Playoff-Aus mit den Edmonton Oilers offen gelassen. “Weiß ich jetzt gerade noch nicht, logischerweise mit meinem Knie, meiner Verletzung”, sagte der 30 Jahre alte Profi nach dem 2:5 gegen die Anaheim Ducks. Er habe “da jetzt durch was durchgespielt und mal schauen”, sagte er.
Draisaitl war erst zu Beginn der Playoffs nach einem Monat Verletzungspause aufs Eis zurückgekehrt. Das Aus in der ersten Runde gegen die Anaheim Ducks konnte er nicht verhindern. Er kam in den sechs Spielen auf drei Tore und sieben Vorlagen.
Sein Teamkollege Josh Samanski will sich jetzt mit einer möglichen WM-Teilnahme beschäftigen. “Ich hatte jetzt nicht unbedingt Kontakt, ich meine, ich habe mich jetzt hier darauf fokussiert, mir war es wichtig, hier meine Leistung zu zeigen”, sagte der 24 Jahre alte Profi aus Erding. Für Samanski war es die erste Saison in der NHL, in den Playoffs kam er auf ein Tor und eine Vorlage. “Natürlich wird es ein Thema sein”, sagte er und kündigte an, gemeinsam mit dem Team entscheiden zu wollen, “was jetzt mit mir passiert”.
Seider hatte zuletzt WM-Teilnahme in Aussicht gestellt
Zuletzt hatte NHL-Topverteidiger Moritz Seider angekündigt, bei der Eishockey-Weltmeisterschaft im Mai in der Schweiz für Deutschland spielen zu wollen. “Es ist natürlich das große Ziel, zur letzten Vorbereitungsphase hier in Mannheim dabei zu sein”, sagte der 25-Jährige am Rande des Playoff-Finales zwischen den Adler Mannheim und den Eisbären Berlin am Dienstag bei MagentaSport.
Nach dem Saisonaus der Detroit Red Wings kuriert sich der frühere Adler-Profi derzeit in Mannheim von einer Verletzung aus, die sich nach eigener Aussage als etwas hartnäckiger herausgestellt hat. “Ich würde immer gerne spielen, aber man muss auch schauen, dass man rechtzeitig fit wird”, sagte Seider.
Draisaitl’s Recovery Takes Precedence
For the 30-year-old Edmonton Oilers standout, the 2025-26 NHL campaign ended abruptly after a first-round playoff exit against the Anaheim Ducks. While an early vacation from the NHL usually bolsters the German national team’s roster, Draisaitl is prioritizing his health over immediate international duty.
The forward had missed a significant portion of the regular season, returning only at the start of the playoffs after a month-long absence due to a lower-body injury. Despite the hiatus, Draisaitl managed three goals and seven assists across six playoff games, but he admitted that playing through the injury has left him uncertain about his readiness for the World Championships.
“I don’t know right now, logically with my knee, my injury,” Draisaitl said following the 2-5 loss to the Ducks. He noted that he had
played through somethingand that the decision would depend on how his recovery progresses. Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
Youth and Experience: The National Team Puzzle
While Draisaitl remains a question mark, other NHL-based Germans are weighing their options. Josh Samanski, 24, is coming off his rookie NHL season with the Oilers. Samanski, who hails from Erding, recorded one goal and one assist during the playoffs and expressed a strong interest in discussing a potential call-up with the national team staff.
Samanski emphasized that his primary focus had been his performance in Edmonton, but acknowledged that international participation is now a realistic topic of conversation. For a young player looking to establish himself on the global stage, the tournament in Switzerland represents a significant opportunity.
Seider’s Race Against Time
The German defensive core is also waiting on a crucial update from Detroit Red Wings star Moritz Seider. The 25-year-old defenseman has expressed a clear desire to represent Germany, but like Draisaitl, he is battling a stubborn injury.
Currently recovering in Mannheim, Seider has identified the final preparation phase in the city as a key milestone for his return. Though, he cautioned that fitness must be the deciding factor.
“It is naturally the big goal to be part of the final preparation phase here in Mannheim,” Seider stated during the playoff finals between Adler Mannheim and Eisbären Berlin. He added,
I would always like to play, but you also have to make sure that you secure fit in time.Moritz Seider, Detroit Red Wings
Tournament Outlook: Switzerland 2026
The 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship is scheduled to capture place from May 15 to May 31, with games hosted in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland. For Germany, the inclusion of NHL talent like Draisaitl and Seider would provide a massive tactical advantage in both offensive creativity and defensive stability.
The timing is critical. with the tournament starting in just two weeks, the German coaching staff must decide whether to rely on these stars or finalize a roster based on players who are currently healthy and available.
Key Takeaways for Team Germany
- Leon Draisaitl: Status remains uncertain due to a lingering knee injury following the Oilers’ first-round exit.
- Moritz Seider: Desires to play but is currently recovering from a “stubborn” injury in Mannheim.
- Josh Samanski: The 24-year-old rookie is open to participation and consulting with the team.
- Timeline: The World Championship begins May 15 in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland.
The next confirmed checkpoint for the national team will be the finalization of the roster for the preparation phase in Mannheim. Fans and analysts alike will be watching for official medical clearances from Draisaitl and Seider in the coming days.
Do you think Germany can compete for a medal without Draisaitl and Seider? Let us know in the comments below.
