Cory Stillman says he would accept the captaincy of the Panthers if offered, only the free agent signee sure isn't begging for it.

Florida is without a captain now that Olli Jokinen has been shipped to Phoenix, and Stillman -- signed July 1 to a three-year deal -- seems like a perfect fit to wear the "C." Problem is, neither he nor first-year coach Peter DeBoer nor general manager Jacques Martin is talking about who will be Florida's newest captain.

It could be Stillman, who has two Stanley Cup championships to his credit; it could also go to center Stephen Weiss, defenseman Bryan Allen or defenseman Jay Bouwmeester.

"They will name a captain, but other guys have to step up," Stillman said during a recent trip to South Florida. "They've been around here two or three years, and when you lose the leader, guys step up and move out of their shells. It would be an honor to be a captain in this league.

"It's tough to play (in the NHL) on a nightly basis, and that adds some responsibility. But it's a great opportunity, and I would accept it. But it's too early. I'm coming here to be part of a team, one that wins hockey games."

Stillman is new to the Panthers, but he knows the team personnel well. Stillman has spent part of the past four seasons in the Southeast Division with Tampa Bay and Carolina, and he is aware of what he's getting into.

"When you play each other eight times a year, you know the team," Stillman said. "The amount of tape we watch these days, you know the system they play, the style and almost know what guys do 1-on-1 and how they handle the puck. I do know the players. Hopefully that makes a difference."

In his career, Stillman has played in 82 playoff games. Among current Panthers, only Richard Zednik comes close to that postseason total, appearing in 48. The entire Florida roster -- minus Stillman -- has played in 182 playoff games.

"Hopefully these guys have had enough of missing the playoffs, having people talk bad about the team, the organization," Stillman said. "Hopefully they're tired of hearing, 'Oh, he's never played in a playoff game'"

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