That is the advice of concussion specialist James Kelly, who examined Gagne today in Denver.

The Flyers' left wing has suffered three concussions in five months. General manager Paul Holmgren expressed "disappointment" but said the club would agree to shut Gagne down.

Kelly is a visiting professor at the University of Colorado's Department of Neurosurgery and a former associate professor of clinical neurology at Northwestern University.

"Simon was seen by Dr. Kelly today," Holmgren said. "His advice to Simon was to shut it down for the remainder of the season. As soon as we have had the opportunity to speak further with Dr. Kelly and Simon, we can shed more light on this. Needless to say, we are very disappointed with this news."

Gagne has missed 35 games this season because of concussions. He suffered his most recent injury Feb. 10 in Pittsburgh. He also suffered concussions in late October and early November.

The 27-year-old native of Ste. Foy, Quebec, had just three goals in the 14 games after returning to the lineup from his second concussion. In 25 games overall this season, Gagne had seven goals and 18 points.

His latest concussion was diagnosed by the Penguins' doctors after the Feb. 10 game. Kelly frequently consulted with Eric Lindros and his family during the former Flyers star's concussion saga.

Lindros saw his career change dramatically because of multiple concussions when he played here. He retired last fall.

Flyers captain Keith Primeau saw his career end in 2006 because of severe post-concussion syndrome. And although he is still playing, Jeremy Roenick suffered multiple concussions with the Flyers.

Because of Gagne's latest absence, the Flyers have rotated players to fill in for him, including two rookies, Kyle Green and Claude Giroux, who made his NHL debut in Tuesday's 3-2 shoot-out loss in Ottawa.

Gagne's absence is one reason why the Flyers' top line to start the season - Danny Briere, Gagne and Mike Knuble - has turned to ashes. That line had 10 goals, 14 assists for 24 points in seven games to start the season.

Giroux's status. Giroux is on a three-day pass from his junior club, Gatineau. Because the Flyers had less than 12 healthy forwards, they were permitted to bring up the 20-year-old from junior as an "emergency call-up," but only for three days. Under the agreement between the NHL and CHL, Giroux cannot miss any junior games. He will play for the Flyers tomorrow against San Jose, then return to Gatineau for Friday's game against Drummondville.

Loose pucks Derian Hatcher, who is out of the lineup another three weeks with inflammation in his right knee, was at the Camden Aquarium yesterday diving with sharks . . . The Flyers have about $1.4 million in salary-cap space left after the Yaroslav Modry deal.