IIHF Hockey World Championship 2025 Betting Preview: Odds, Favorites, Predictions

IIHF 2025 Group A Preview and Predictions

• • Austria
  • Canada
  • Finland
  • France
  • Latvia
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Sweden

Group A is stacked with the top three favorites all in this group. Sweden, Canada, and Finland headline the “group of death” side of the tournament. In short, the likely winner of the IIHF World Championship will come from Group A.

Note that the top four nations from each group advance to the quarterfinals. So, we’ll likely see all three powerhouses making it out of the round-robin.

That leaves the fourth spot wide open in Group A. According to the 2025 IIHF World Championship odds, that is most likely to be claimed by Slovakia. I can’t argue against that, as the Slovakians’ hockey program is well ahead of Latvia, Slovenia, France, and Austria.

In review, expect Sweden, Canada, Finland, and Slovakia to emerge from Group A and head to the quarterfinal stage.

IIHF 2025 Group B Preview and Predictions

• • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Germany
  • Hungary
  • Kazakhstan
  • Norway
  • Switzerland
  • USA

Group B is shaping up to be a cakewalk for the United States and Czechia at the IIHF World Championship. As the only teams I have down with a chance to win the gold medal, a trip to the quarterfinals appears assured for the US and Czechia.

The Czechs are looking to defend their gold after upsetting the field last year on home ice. The gold medal match was a shocking final, as Czechia and Switzerland reached the championship. Look for Switzerland to clinch a spot in the quarterfinals as well.

That leaves one more spot to advance out of the round-robin stage. Although Germany won’t have Leon Draisaitl, they should be the final team to get out of Group B.

So, expect to see the USA, Czechia, Switzerland, and Germany proceeding from Group B in 2025.

Canada (+280)

The Canadians are known as the powerhouses of ice hockey. They lead the IIHF World Championship with 28 gold medals and nine Olympic golds.

Team Canada has captured four titles since the 2015 season — most recently in 2023 over Germany. Canada’s chances often hinge on who is available during the tournament.

The majority of their stars are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and this year is no exception. Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Sam Reinhart, Mitch Marner, Brayden Point, and Brad Marchand are all on playoff teams. MacKinnon and Point were recently eliminated, but they may take time off after two hard-fought series.

Do you want me to keep going? Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Mark Scheifele, Zach Hyman, John Tavares, and Dougie Hamilton won’t be available, either.

Projected Star Players

The absence of several stars opens up the door for other Canadians to fill the void. If Sidney Crosby decides to play, he’ll be the star attraction for Team Canada.

However, he opted out of the IIHF World Championship last year, and at 37 years old and likely seeking rest after another NHL season, Crosby’s status was iffy as the regular season concluded. That being said, Crosby announced that he will be playing for Team Canada!

That gives Canada a huge asset, but I question how motivated he’ll be after the 4 Nations Face-Off and a long season in Pittsburgh. Shortly after Crosby committed to Team Canada, Avs’ star Nathan MacKinnon announced the same! That’s an impressive 1-2 punch and veteran leadership for the Canadian side.

Team Canada had Tavares, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Brandon Hagel on their team last year, but they’re on playoff teams as well. Hagel’s Lightning were knocked out in the first round against the Florida Panthers. That said, he is dealing with a concussion, so it’s highly improbable he is cleared.

So, where does this leave Team Canada? The coaching staff will have access to top talent. There is plenty of young talent to be excited about, as Macklin Celebrini, Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, and Tyson Foerster are at the IIHF World Championship.

Macklin Celebrini scores his 25th of the season in his hometown! 🦈 pic.twitter.com/9UDPWpEivs

— NHL (@NHL) April 15, 2025

Additionally, veterans Ryan O’Reilly, Travis Konecny, and Bo Horvat are in Europe for the tournament. One surprising name not on Team Canada’s roster is Connor Bedard. Despite having a tough sophomore campaign, many people expected him to make the team.

With MacKinnon and Crosby on Canada’s roster, they won’t have any shortage of star power!

Strengths & Weaknesses

Regardless of their rosters, Team Canada is always defensively sound on the blue line. They are well-coached and aren’t shy of getting physical and forcing turnovers. In other words, I don’t have issues with their defensive prowess in this tournament, but goaltending may be a problem without Jordan Binnington.

The offense lacks a lot of the firepower that they had in the 4 Nations Face-Off. It’s important to note that this isn’t the same team that we saw in that tournament, so temper your expectations. That said, Crosby and MacKinnon offer the offense two proven veterans that will propel offensive activity.

Consistent goal scoring should be problematic for Team Canada. There is depth, and I think they’ll be fantastic at times, but don’t expect Canada to ring the scoreboard up against the defensive-minded rosters in the tournament. Celebrini will need an outstanding effort to give Crosby and MacKinnon support.

In any event, Canadian hockey is so deep that they are going to put a competitive team on the ice. They have a chance to win, but I want a larger price than +280 odds for my IIHF World Championship picks!

Sweden (+300)

The Swedes are expected to bring a talented group with them to the IIHF World Championship in 2025. They won back-to-back gold medals in 2017 and 2018 but have been denied since then.

In total, Sweden has won 11 gold medals since the inaugural tournament in 1920. Although several Swedish stars will be participating in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they should have access to a number of reliable players.

Projected Star Players

Let’s start with who should be there based on NHL teams not going to the playoffs. The Nashville Predators are out of the playoff picture, so star playmaker Filip Forsberg will be eligible to participate.

He appears ready to go, while Boston Bruins’ center Elias Lindholm has confirmed he’ll represent Sweden in Stockholm.

Filip Forsberg has ice in his veins… 🥶 pic.twitter.com/HQfZeC7Yu9

— NHL (@NHL) April 11, 2025

Sweden is likely to be in fantastic shape with the Pred on the ice for Sweden. Forsberg led the Predators with 76 points, which was 20 points more than Jordan Marchessault in second!

New York Rangers’ veteran Mika Zibanejad has committed to the tournament for Sweden. He’s a great player to have in the locker room, and still has a step left on the ice. With the event in Sweden, Zibanejad is likely to go harder, considering he doesn’t have many more chances left to represent the country in his career.

Elias Petterson of the Vancouver Canucks dealt with injuries in April and won’t join Sweden. However, the Calgary Flames’ Mikael Backlund will represent his country, while Red Wings’ right winger Lucas Raymond is expected to, as well.

The blue line should be in good shape with last year’s captain, Erik Karlsson, and Rasmus Dahlin leading the defense for Team Sweden. Karlsson hasn’t committed yet but is expected to play if he feels good physically.

Strengths & Weaknesses

As a result of key Swedish players missing out on the playoffs, they should be well-prepared to put a balanced roster on the ice. Historically known for their defense, Sweden won’t have any shortage of talent in the offensive zone, either.

Forsberg has the potential to be the most dynamic player in the IIHF World Championship this year. Along with Forsberg and Zibanejad, the Swedish side has two proven forwards who can make NHL defensemen frustrated.

With this in mind, Sweden shouldn’t have any problems offensively. Also, with the Red Wings failing to make the playoffs, Raymond’s presence would provide the offense with a significant boost. He had a strong performance in the tournament a season ago for the Swedes.

It's too easy for Lucas Raymond👌Sweden is up 2-0!#SWEPOL#MensWorlds @Trekronorse pic.twitter.com/ttpLwTAenK

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 12, 2024

In the defensive zone, Sweden should be in good hands with Dahlin on the blue line. The three-time All-Star will shine on a functional roster away from the Sabres organization. Karlsson adds veteran leadership and savviness on the ice, so the defense should be a strength, too!

Team Sweden should be in fine shape with Jacob Markstrom between the pipes. Ottawa Senators’ goaltender Linus Ullmark was anticipating a call to play after his NHL team was eliminated, but Sweden feels confident with Markstrom in the crease.

USA (+315)

Team USA’s 2025 IIHF World Championship odds are on the move after money poured in on them to win gold! Over the last month, bettors have lined up at the window to back the Americans to win their first title since 1960!

The US won bronze in 2018 and 2021 but haven’t gotten much closer. With their price on the run, it appears that there is more optimism on Team USA capturing top honors in Europe at the IIHF World Championship.

Let’s delve into why Team USA’s odds have shifted and their chances of coming out on top in this international tournament.

Projected Stars Players

The USA’s odds to win saw a healthy bump after the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators were eliminated from the playoffs. The Canadiens’ loss is the USA’s gain, as young stars Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson are available now.

Additionally, Brady Tkachuk has an opportunity to join Team USA in Europe. He is coming off a fantastic season and left it all out on the ice for the Senators in the playoffs. Tkachuk played through a painful hip injury, so it begs the question: will he hop on a flight to Sweden?

Having him would give the Americans a huge boost. Last season, he had an excellent campaign at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, but his status is in doubt. Caufield and Hutson remain mum on whether they’re going to join the team, too. Even if one of the three plays for Team USA, it’s a huge plus for this squad.

A reminder how good Brady Tkachuk was at the 2024 #MensWorlds.👌 @usahockey @Senators @BradyTkachuk71 pic.twitter.com/coIjKr9Mru

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) August 10, 2024

Given the confirmed roster at the moment, they have some firepower up front with Tage Thompson, Logan Cooley, and Clayton Keller. The chemistry between Cooley and Keller, who play on the top line of the Utah Hockey Club, could be the best in the tournament.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Like Team Canada, the Americans are going to have excellent depth in the tournament. They can play three lines and should get production. However, without Tkachuk and Caufield, the USA loses out on a lot of potential offense.

If they aren’t on the ice, the USA will drop from a great to a merely good team in the offensive zone. The chemistry between Cooley and Keller should be on full display, though. These two need little time to feel comfortable with each other, so look for that line to be a major success.

The defense should be fine, but the USA won’t have the top defense in the tournament. However, Hutson’s arrival would provide the team with an elite defenseman. The goaltending isn’t what it could be, either. Vezina frontrunner Connor Hellebuyck is in the playoffs, so Jeremy Swayman appears like the top option.

Swayman posted a mediocre 3.11 GAA and 0.892 save percentage with the Bruins this season. It didn’t go as expected for Swayman, and he’ll need to have his act together for the USA to win gold.