Boston Bruins' Milan Lucic, Simon Gagne, Torey Krug and Dennis Seidenberg celebrate a goal by Krug during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo, N.Y., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014.Gary Wiepert/The Associated Press
A person familiar with the decision has told The Associated Press that the Boston Bruins have placed veteran forward Simon Gagne on waivers for the purpose of releasing him.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the move made Wednesday.
The decision is regarded a formality. Two weeks ago, the Bruins announced Gagne was placed on their "suspended" list and would miss the remainder of the season following the death of his father in December.
Gagne is a two-time 40-goal-scorer and was the NHL's rookie of the year in 2000 with Philadelphia. The 34-year-old was attempting a comeback with Boston after missing all of last season.
He had three goals and an assist in 23 games with the Bruins this season.