German Ice Hockey League - Our Preview of a Thrilling New Season

Defending champions Eisbären Berlin will launch their title defence with a trip to Kölner Haie the following day, while the Fischtown Pinguins (who were defeated in the play-off finals) will entertain Grizzlys Wolfsburg on the opening weekend.

But who are the favourites to prevail in 2024/25, and how is the summer transfer market impacting the pre-tournament odds?

The Arrival of Liam Kirk and Rise of EHC Red Bull München

Eisbären Berlin finished second in the 2023/24 regular season, before thumping the Pinguins 4-1 in the playoff final series. They’re also the pre-tournament favourites to retain their title in 2024/25, thanks in no small part to the stellar signing of British star forward Liam Kirk.

The British international, who once played in the NHL for the Arizona Coyotes, has scored 153 goals in 380 career appearances, while also contributing 141 assists. He has signed for Berlin following his summer departure from Czech club HC Lítvinov, boosting an attack that scored 181 goals in just 52 regular season goals in 2023/24.

Despite this, betting comparison site WettscheinPlus.de has reported rising interest in several DEL underdogs ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, with a higher volume of ice hockey bets in Germany being placed on relatively unfancied sides. These include last season’s playoff semi-finalists and former champions EHC Red Bull München, who placed 5th during the regular season but scored an impressive 156 goals.

They already boast a stacked attack, which includes World Cup stars Yasin Ehliz and Maximilian Kastner. However, they also added 31-year-old Tobias Rieder to their roster in May, after the forward left the Växjö Lakers.

Rieder is a seasoned veteran who has played 492 NHL matches, contributing 67 goals and 83 assists during these fixtures. Remember, US star Les Lancaster also joined München in February, contributing two goals and three assists in nine appearances as the side finished the season strongly.

What About the Fischtown Pinguins? Can They Challenge Once Again?

Currently, the Fischtown Pinguins are distant third favourites to win the 2024/25 DEL, despite topping the table after 52 regular season games last season. They’ve also had a relatively quiet summer so far, choosing to focus primarily on their defence after shipping 15 goals in just five playoff final series games against Berlin.

To this end, Slovenia defenceman Blaž Gregorc has joined on a free after leaving Augsburger Panther, while Maxim Rausch has signed from the Iserlohn Roosters.

Forward Max Görtz has been snapped up from the Schwenninger Wild Wings too, to play in partnership with last season’s DEL top scorer Jan Urbas. The latter scored 21 goals and contributed 31 assists in just 47 appearances in 2023/24, while he now has 147 DEL goals in 353 games overall.

The Pinguins retain a deep and high quality squad, which they’ve quietly and efficiently improved during the pre-season. However, it’s unclear whether there will be a hangover from the 2023/24 playoff defeat to Berlin, which saw them lose 4-1 in a best-of-seven series.

If not, both Berlin and München are well placed to compete for the title in 2024/25. Both of these franchises have added star firepower in the form of Liam Kirk and Tobias Rieder respectively, while they finished the last campaign strongly and will tough to beat both home and away.

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