Ducks monitor Forsberg

The Ducks are one of several teams that have had contact with the Philadelphia Flyers about acquiring center Peter Forsberg if the Flyers decide to put him on the block before the Feb. 27 trade deadline.

Philadelphia has a league-worst 12-32-5 record and Forsberg, who turns 34 in July, has been the subject of trade talk most of this season.

The Ducks are closely monitoring his availability, according to a source.

General Manager Brian Burke would not comment on the possibility of acquiring the center.

“I’m not going to address specific players that belong to other organizations,” he said Monday. Forsberg, a former league most valuable player and rookie of the year, is in the final year of his contract and has a no-trade clause. It isn’t clear which team, if any, he would approve. He can become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

If Forsberg were acquired, he probably would be a short-term rental since he is believed to want to re-sign with the Flyers. But his health has complicated things. Forsberg has battled injuries throughout his 12-year NHL career but this season has been plagued by a problem with his right foot, which can’t seem to bond with his skate.

On Monday, he met with Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren and it was agreed the immediate focus would be on resolving the foot problem.

Even though Forsberg has only eight goals and 21 assists in 33 games this season, San Jose, Nashville, Detroit, Montreal and Atlanta -- all potential playoff teams -- are believed to be interested as well.

In the Ducks’ case, a deal probably would have to include top prospect Bobby Ryan, who was the team’s No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 draft.

Burke said he has about $2 million of payroll to work with. If Forsberg were dealt, the team that acquired him would be responsible for about $1.3 million of his $5.75-million salary.

“We’re in good shape, cap-wise,” Burke said. “We feel this team, with Scotty [Niedermayer] back in the lineup, can compete with any team in the NHL. I don’t think we have any glaring holes. But that doesn’t mean the teams we’re competing with couldn’t improve themselves. My job is to improve the team whenever I can.”

Burke denied he has interest in Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin and angrily took exception to an article in the Toronto Star that suggested the Ducks needed a true No. 1 center. Andy McDonald, the Ducks’ current top-line pivot, has 49 points and was named to his first All-Star team last week.

“I have not had one discussion with [Toronto General Manager] John Ferguson Jr. regarding Mats Sundin,” Burke said. “And I’d like to meet the imbecile who said that in a dark alley. For him to suggest we do not have a legitimate No. 1 center is a ridiculous assertion.”

eric.stephens@latimes.com