UNIONDALE, N.Y. — If Bryan Berard's impaired vision can pass an NHL physical, the New York Rangers are interested in him.
The 24-year-old Toronto defenseman's career was thought to be finished after he sustained severe damage to his right eye when accidentally struck by Marian Hossa's stick in a 2000 game in Ottawa.
"He has to overcome a lot of things for him to be able to play," Rangers general manager Glen Sather said Saturday. "We've had ongoing conversations with him."
Berard, who has already undergone seven eye surgeries, also would need to have a special contact lens inserted in his right eye to improve his vision.
His current 20/600 vision — seeing something in his right eye at 20 feet that someone with normal vision would see at 600 feet — falls below the league bylaw requiring all players to have eyesight of 20/400 or better.
"Of course, he has to pass a league physical," Sather said. "He was approved to play at the U.S. Olympic camps, and he had to get medical clearance there, right?"
Sather would like to get an answer as soon as possible.
"At this stage, I'm still willing to give it a chance," he said. "But if the season starts, and he comes up to me after that and asks for a tryout, sure, I'd give him one."