Ice cream Leon Draisaitl (29) in the jersey of the Edmonton Oilers. The DEB is currently working on its participation in the World Cup. © Jason Franson/AP/dpa
Top ice hockey star Leon Draisaitl is eliminated with the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL playoffs. Will the striker travel to the World Cup? The sporting director is vague.
Tampere - The German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) is working on the participation of top star Leon Draisaitl in the current World Championships in Finland and Latvia, according to sports director Christian Künast.
The 27-year-old forward was eliminated with the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday evening (local time) in the NHL playoffs. "There are a lot of things to do. We are very meticulous in the background. We're prepared for anything," Kuenast told MagentaSport on Monday ahead of the group game against the USA in Tampere, Finland. Whether he had already had contact with Draisaitl, Kuenast left open. "If there's something to report, we'll report it," he said.
Should Draisaitl decide to travel to Finland and want to help the DEB selection, he would probably not be available until the end of the week. Kuenast had previously said that Draisaitl's involvement would also be worthwhile for a game.
Quarter-finals are the minimum goal
"If he can come, he'll help every team in the world," said Kuenast: "My statement was that Leon would also be worthwhile for a game, then I mean a decisive one – be it a quarter-final or another game." The quarter-finals is the minimum goal of the German team. For this, the Germans must finish at least fourth in their group.
There are currently three NHL professionals in the World Cup squad of national coach Harold Kreis: top defenseman Moritz Seider (Detroit Red Wings) and the two forwards John-Jason Peterka (Buffalo Sabres) and Nico Sturm (San Jose Sharks). From the second-tier AHL, defensemen Kai Wissmann (Providence Bruins) and, for the first time, Leon Gawanke (Manitoba Moose) will be in the USA game. Dpa