Taylor feels pull of captain's duties

The Lightning captain might put off hip surgery until the offseason.

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published January 12, 2007

TAMPA - Tim Taylor said he wants to put off surgery on his ailing right hip until the offseason because of his responsibilities as Lightning captain.

But GM Jay Feaster said Thursday that he urged Taylor to consider first what is best for his health.

"We're talking about the rest of the player's life here," said Feaster, who added, "He and I agreed we would continue to monitor and see how it goes. If in fact he decided he needed the surgery now as opposed to the offseason, he'd get the surgery now."

That would be an emotional call.

"My biggest fear is not holding up my responsibility to this team," Taylor said.

"I owe this team a lot. They brought me here and put my name on the Stanley Cup again. I owe them everything possible I can to help these players for this year, not looking at next year, for this year."

Taylor played right wing on the fourth line against the Capitals, got 3:58 of ice time and was credited with a hit.

Tampa Bay has some depth at AHL Springfield in Blair Jones and Daniel Corso if Taylor decides he can't go.

"I feel all right," he said after the game, adding he will give Monday's cortisone shot at least two weeks to work before making a decision.

Taylor, 38 on Feb. 6 and with a year left on his contract, said his injury is degenerative.

He said surgery will clean the hip bone of spurs so it fits better into the socket, and reinforce the bone and socket with metal plates.

"Do you feel you're giving as much on the ice as you'd like to? No, and it's very disappointing," Taylor said. "But I can help in a lot of ways. It's being on the bench and getting the guys ready and pushing them a little harder.

"I know I'm at the end of my career," he added. "But I have a responsibility toward this organization and my teammates, and that is to try any way I can."

[Last modified January 12, 2007, 01:01:19]