TORONTO (AP) Bryan Berard is close to signing with the Boston Bruins to continue his comeback from a career-threatening eye injury.

Berard could sign next week, agent Tom Laidlaw told the Canadian Press Association.

"There has been more than one team interested, but it's fair to say that Boston is the lead team right now," Laidlaw said Friday.

"We're hopeful it could happen in the next few days, but you never know. We're not sure. I would say sometime next week."

He earned $2 million with the New York Rangers last season, when he had two goals and 21 assists while playing in all 82 games. The team did not pick up a $3 million option on his contract.

The 25-year-old Berard nearly lost his eye in March 2000, when he was hit by Ottawa's Marian Hossa while playing for Toronto.

Berard has been fitted with a special contact that barely improves his vision. A new deal would help him continue to pay off a $6.5 million insurance settlement he received after the injury.

The insurance company that agreed to his return last year must also sign off on the deal.

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