Bruins' Simon Gagne won't be back this season

Boston Bruins winger Simon Gagne won't play for the remainder of the season as he deals with the death of his father.

Gagne, 34, had taken a leave of absence on Dec. 10 to be with his father, Pierre, who had cancer. His father died the day after Christmas.

"To play in the NHL you have to be 100% mentally, emotionally and physically committed to the game," Simon Gagne said through the team. "At this time, I know that I cannot be close to those levels."

Gagne, who didn't play last season, came to the Bruins camp as a tryout this fall and signed a one-year, $600,000 contract about a week into the season. He had three goals and an assist in 23 games.

To deal with the cap implications of Gagne's decision, the Bruins have listed him as a suspended player, meaning he won't be paid and his salary won't count against the salary cap. Boston also will be able to fill his roster spot.

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"Given Simon's decision not to return to the team, we have to change his status to maintain a full roster," general manager Peter Chiarelli said in a statement. "I spoke to Simon about this, and he assured me that we have his full support with this status change."

Gagne has 291 goals and 601 points in 822 career games. He scored a game-winning goal in his final appearance of the season.