They'll be playing almost the same game when the Olympic tournament begins. But not exactly the same game.

There are several significant areas where international hockey differs from the NHL, including the shootout format and rules on goaltender puck-handling.

Hockey's traditional rivals will shake hands on February 28, the final day of the Winter Games.

But which of those teams will be celebrating a gold medal? And who's our pick to sneak in and grab the bronze?

Here's our medal prediction for men's hockey at the 2010 Olympic Games.

• What's Your Pick? Send us your medal predictions for the men's hockey tournament in Vancouver.

• Guide to Olympic Hockey
• Men's Hockey Schedule
• Women's Hockey Schedule

(Photo: Elsa/Getty Images.)

Talk about a letdown for the trade junkies.

After all the rumors of a huge, power-shifting, blockbuster deal, the big prize of the 2010 NHL trade season ends up going to New Jersey for, well, not much.

Niclas Bergfors, Johnny Oduya, a middling prospect and a pick represent a historically bad return for a player of Ilya Kovalchuk's calibre.

Everyone knows that, including Thrashers GM Don Waddell.

Fear of Kovalchuk's $100 million-plus asking price on a new contract obviously chilled the market.

Is any NHL team prepared to pay him $10 million per year? Most of the fat cat franchises are already struggling with salary cap issues brought on by previous outlandish contracts.

New Jersey is not among the big spenders. Kovalchuk will not be a Devil next season.

The bigger question is whether the Kovalchuk trade marks the beginning of the end for the Atlanta Thrashers.

Dumping one of the world's most exciting players for next to nothing turns Atlanta into a glorified minor-league outfit.

If you were among the dwindling number of folks willing to pay to see a Thrashers' game, why would you ever buy another ticket after what happened today?

It's over in Atlanta.

(Photo: Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images ).

Olympic rosters aren't final until February 15, which is good news for Team USA - already seeking a sub for Paul Martin (and maybe Mike Komisarek).

Barring further injury, here are the men's hockey rosters for the 12 countries sending teams to Vancouver.

See also:
2010 Olympic Hockey Guide
Men's Hockey Schedule

Photo: Henrik Sedin is back with the defending gold medalists. (Robert Laberge/Getty Images).