"We interrupt the growing debate over how the Vancouver Canucks will fit defenceman Sami Salo on to their roster and who should be traded to clear salary-cap space, with a basic yet paramount detail: for Salo, his return is still as much about "if" as "when."

Before participating again this morning in the Canucks' sparsely attended optional skate ahead of tonight's game against the San Jose Sharks (7:30 p.m., Sportsnet, Team 1040), the 36-year-old who ruptured his Achilles tendon in July admitted he is still not convinced he will play again. Ever.

Yes, things are proceeding well. Yes, he was back on the ice sooner than expected. Barring setbacks, Salo probably will play again, maybe in a month. But there is a big difference between just skating well and skating well enough to play at the top of the National Hockey League.

The Finn said he would retire before risking permanent damage by playing without complete health and — equally importantly — the belief that he can play against the best forwards in the world.

"I've had so much more on my mind that worrying about the roster," Salo said before travelling to San Jose from Denver, where the Canucks beat the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 on Sunday. "The worry I've had — and it's still there — is: Can I still play? Am I going to be able to play at the top level? That question still isn't gone completely, so I have a lot of other things on my mind than worrying about [the roster]."

Salo said he and the Canucks — their coaching and medical staffs — agree he won't play unless there is absolute certainty that he is fit and capable.

"We've had discussions," Salo said. "Both sides have to be really honest with each other. I've said all along I'm not going to risk the rest of my career, my life, with having a disability. I have to be really careful.

"The business is the business. But, like I said, I have to be at the level where I feel I need to be. For sure, they're going to ask me where I'm at, and there's no point in moving somebody [in a trade] if I'm not 100 per cent. There's no point coming back and then finding out you're not good enough to play. I've got to make sure I'm really at the top level when I come back."

The most hectic part of the Canucks' schedule is working against Salo, who has had only one actual practice with teammates since he rejoined teammates after Christmas."