Like most hockey fans, I’ve been looking forward to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games for some time now to see the best hockey players in the world respresent their countries on the biggest international stage.  Each of the twelve participating countries have given the date that they will release their final roster for the Olympic Games in Vancouver this year.  The majority of these rosters will be released at the end of December and then the real debates and predictions can begin.  Right now all we have to go on is the pool of eligible players and the few shoe-ins who barring injury will definitely be suiting up for their country in February.

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A few sportsbooks have come out with some early odds for the gold medal to make us interested parties satisfied for the time being.  Here are the Bet365 odds to win the gold medal:

Canada 1
Russia 5/2
Sweden 9/2
USA 8
Czech Republic 12
Slovakia 40
Switzerland 100
Germany 400
Latvia 1000
Belarus 1000
Norway 2000

The odds currently vary from sportsbook to sportsbook so in order to find the best odds for the team you are predicting to win you really have to do your homework.  I personally would be extremely, extremely suprised if someone other than Canada, Russia and Sweden won the gold medal.  I believe that these three teams are head and shoulders above the other 3 teams from the big six (USA, Czech Republic, Finland) and miles ahead of the other competitors.

Canada is obviously the favourites, with Russia not far behind, but Sweden has a very strong team as well and could easily win in a single game scenario against either of these countries.

Right now, I’m not going to be making a prediction as to has the best odds compared to their chance of winning.  I’m just going to say that it will almost certainly come down to the big three, so place your bets accordingly.