PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Jocelyn Thibault needs surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left hip and may miss the rest of the season, prompting the team to recall both of its top minor league goalies.

Dany Sabourin was recalled after going 15-1-1 with three shutouts and a 1.78 goals-against average at Wilkes-Barre of the AHL, and was to start Wednesday night in Columbus. Sebastien Caron, the Penguins' starter much of the 2003-04 season, also was recalled from the minor league club.

Calling up both goalies could be a sign the Penguins may not keep starting goalie Marc-Andre Fleury much longer. Fleury, who is 5-10-3 with a 3.16 goals-against average in 19 games, can make more than $3 million in bonuses if he stays with the team much longer, money the Penguins probably can't afford to pay as they fall further out of playoff contention.

Owner-player Mario Lemieux has said the Penguins expect to lose $7 million this season, even if they sell out most of their home games and advance to the second round of the playoffs. The Penguins went into Wednesday's game tied with Washington for the fewest points in the Eastern Conference.

Lemieux's financial projection did not include Fleury's bonuses, which are partly based on games played.

The 30-year-old Thibault began the season as the Penguins' starter, but has lost 12 of 13 decisions, going 1-9-3 with a 3.16 goals-against average and an .876 save percentage in 16 games.

In his most recent start, he was pulled after allowing goals on three of nine shots in a 6-4 loss Friday in Atlanta. Thibault was hurt when he was jammed into a goalpost during a practice in Montreal last week. He is expected to have surgery later this week.

Caron began the season as Thibault's backup, but was sent to Wilkes-Barre on Dec. 3 with a 5-3-3 record, easily the best of the Penguins' goalies, and a 3.95 goals-against average.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)