Captain Tim Taylor said at the end of last season he wanted to avoid surgery on his degenerative right hip so he could play the final year of his contract. Taylor said he would rehab this summer to strengthen the joint and then use cortisone shots to get through the season as he did in 2006-07. But Taylor said Monday his hip actually has gotten worse and it looks more and more as if he will have the surgery in August.

Taylor said he will wait until then to give his hip every chance to improve, but admitted, "All signs are showing that I need the surgery. It's getting worse as it goes along. I'm obviously disappointed I can't get back to where I want to be.''

The surgery is major. It involves shaving and smoothing the top of Taylor's right femur and inserting it into a new metal socket to ease movement. The catch: at least a six-month recovery. That means if Taylor has surgery in August, he won't be back until at least February, or he might not come back at all.

Taylor, 38, had a rough go last season. He played through the pain and averaged just 7:55 of ice time in the regular season. A cortisone shot help in the playoffs and he performed well and averaged 12:01 of ice time. That is what gave Taylor hope he could delay surgery.

GM Jay Feaster said Taylor would rehab in Tampa, remain the team captain and has  a roster spot waiting if and when his recovery was complete. Taylor said the vote of confidence gives him more incentive to come back and play.

I'll have more on this in Tuesday's paper.