Flyers’ Gagne out 6-8 weeks

Forward Simon Gagne(notes) will have surgery to repair two small hernias, the Philadelphia Flyers announced Monday.

Gagne is expected to be out six to eight weeks after the operation, scheduled for Tuesday.

“It’s hard to take, but it’s still early in the season,” Gagne said. “I’ll miss close to two months and have time to get back in shape and feel 100 per cent when I’m skating. That’s something I wasn’t able to do right now.”

The Ste-Foy, Que., native hasn’t played since Oct. 25. He scored one goal and four assists through nine games.

Gagne will be out a significant length time for the second time in three seasons.

“He’s had repairs in both of those areas before, so the doctor wants to go through those same incisions — they’re just small incisions — and reinforce and strengthen the area,” Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. “He will look at the small hernias that we saw in the ultrasound and see if they really are there.”

Gagne notched 74 points last season, coming back after a 2007-08 campaign marked by concussion and groin injuries.