Germany's ice hockey squad for the upcoming men's world championship has been finalized, and there's a notable absence: NHL star Nico Sturm will not be joining the team, despite his Minnesota Wild being eliminated from the playoffs. The tournament kicks off in Switzerland later this Friday, with Germany facing Finland in their opening match.

Sturm, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, has been a key contributor for Germany in recent years, suiting up for the 2023 and 2024 world championships—where the team finished as runners-up in 2023—as well as the Winter Olympics in February. However, the German Ice Hockey Federation confirmed that the 29-year-old forward was not added to the current roster, leaving fans wondering about the reasoning behind the decision.

Germany will still boast a strong NHL contingent, with four players from North America's top league on the squad. Goaltender Philipp Grubauer of the Seattle Kraken, defenseman Moritz Seider from the Detroit Red Wings, forward Lukas Reichel of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Josh Samanski from the Edmonton Oilers are all set to represent their country. Their experience and skill will be crucial as Germany looks to build on their recent success on the international stage.

With Sturm out, all eyes will be on this NHL quartet to lead the charge in Switzerland. Can they step up and fill the void left by the star center? The tournament promises plenty of action, and Germany's depth will be tested right from the start against Finland.