Gillis must ask himself how much he wants to enhance the Canucks’ chances of making a lengthy playoff run this season, and what he is willing to give up to do so.

The Sharks and Red Wings have clearly established themselves as the class of the West, and any upgrade would be aimed at improving Vancouver’s chances against either of these teams as the Canucks are well positioned to take on any of the other playoff-calibre clubs in the conference.

The biggest needs appear to be more scoring punch up front and a puck-moving defenseman, but show me a club that isn’t looking for either and I’ll show you a team that is already booking tee times.

Of course, Gillis would like to take a shot at a significant addition to the roster, but the lack of overall depth in the organization creates a conflict between short-term and long-term goals.

Cory Schneider, Cody Hodgson and Michael Grabner appear to be the only legitimate prospects at this point in time, and trading one or more of those players for a rental player would further gut the franchise down the road.

Ditto for early-round draft picks, which represent both future assets and cost certainty, the latter being vital given the financial uncertainty that lies ahead for the league.

Are there underperforming players on the current roster that could be moved? No question.

But the only way such players could fetch anything of value is in a situation where a potential trading partner is trying to purge salary.

With the Sedins and Alex Burrows in search of contract extensions this year, and a looming big money deal for Roberto Luongo on the horizon in the summer of 2010, don’t expect the Canucks to take on a big money player with three or more years left on a deal.

When asked about potential acquisitions in the days ahead, Gillis has made it quite clear that the addition of Mats Sundin was his big move for the year.

He could surprise everyone by pulling off another noteworthy deal, but it seems more likely that he will add smaller pieces by improving the grit quotient and physical component of this hockey club. Instead, the Canucks will probably bank on Luongo and Sundin saving their best hockey for the playoffs, and hope the Sedins finally deliver the breakthrough post-season performance that fans have been begging for.

No matter what your stance on the conflict overseas or the Olympics coming to Vancouver, the men and women who represent our country deserve your support.

Based on recent results, there should be plenty for Canadians to cheer about at the Games. This past weekend, Canada racked up 30 medals in winter sports competition around the planet, including right here in the lower mainland.

Though the system is far from perfect, the Own the Podium initiative appears to be on track as the spotlight quickly approaches. It seemed like a fantasy when it was introduced earlier this decade, but our athletes have made it a distinct reality with just 365 days to go.

• You won’t see throngs of Alex Burrows’ jerseys in the crowd at GM Place, but there are virtually no detractors of his work amongst Canucks’ fans. He epitomizes the “team first” attitude with his tireless resolve to do whatever is asked of him, and he’s now reaping the rewards.

After scoring his career-high 13th goal against the Blues on Tuesday, Burrows has been granted interim status among Vancouver’s top six forwards, evidenced by his spot alongside the Sedins at practice yesterday.

Though the promotion is likely temporary, Burrows’ ascension is yet another chapter in a career built on elbow grease. The undrafted forward is the poster boy for dreamers in the ECHL, a league that is generally considered limbo for players who will never make it to “the show.”

Burrows is the rare exception, and his subsequent rise to the AHL and NHL is nothing short of remarkable. He never complains about his ice time, his role or his linemates, choosing instead to play each shift like it’s his last.