DALLAS - Peter Forsberg had little impact Saturday for Sweden at the Karjala Cup tournament in Helsinki where the defending Olympic champions fell 4-1 to Russia.

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Josef Melichar (L) and Jiri Novotny (R) of the Czech Republic vie with Peter Forsberg (C) of Sweden during the Euro Hockey Tour ice hockey match Sweden vs the Czech Republic in Jonkoping, Sweden on November 5, 2009.

Photograph by : Getty Images

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"I have a good long way to reach top form and I must improve everything," Forsberg told reporters.

Should Forsberg overcome chronic foot and ankle injuries and make his decision to return to the NHL as early as this week, he should have an impact.

That's why the Vancouver Canucks are among several suitors for the proven forward.

And that's why Mikael Samuelsson believes Forsberg is far from finished.

"Oh yeah, if he's healthy, he's got game left," said the Canucks winger, who played with Forsberg on the 2006 Olympic team.

"If he's injured, it's tough to prove something and it's not easy to come back. But he's a pretty good player. He's a playmaker and can take the puck to the net. He can pretty much do a lot of things.

"And he makes other people better as well."

The Canucks unsuccessfully courted Forsberg two years ago, when he opted to return to the Colorado Avalanche and had 14 points in nine games, but general manager Mike Gillis believes he can sell the former league MVP on the Olympic experience and a competitive club that includes four Swedes.

"If he feels like he can compete again, we'll certainly be involved," said Gillis, who dispatched director of player development Dave Gagner and scouts Thomas Gradin and Inge Hammarstrom to asses Forsberg's play at the Karjala Cup.

"Peter knows what it takes to win. It's about our ownership and our commitment to be involved in bringing the best players we can any time they become available. We're committed to that concept and we'll see how it goes."

Forsberg, 36, has played just six games the last two seasons with MoDo of the Swedish Elite League and has yet to commit to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. to Forsberg's agent Don Baizley, but he isn't worried about contract demands or getting a deal done to fit under the salary cap.

Forsberg wasn't open Saturday to talk about the Olympics and if would make the Swedish team.

"Not the way I'm playing now," he said.