"Sami Salo has never lost his sense of humour through 40 career injuries, but losing out on what could be his last shot at a Stanley Cup championship has the Vancouver Canucks defenceman showing a more serious side.

Sidelined since a freak Achilles rupture suffered July 22 while playing floorball in his native Finland, he's encouraged by off-ice shooting and passing drills to inch closer to a day when he can actually skate again.

But the very nature of the injury has Salo more cautious than before.

He lost 10 per cent of muscle tone in each month since the setback and is slowly building it back up."