--Cory Stillman, a first-round pick in 1992, played in his 1,000th NHL game on Wednesday, becoming the 32nd active player to do so.

Stillman, 37, says he never looked at being a first-round selection as giving him a better chance coming up into the league.

"I was always told that, 'Just because you're a first-rounder doesn't mean you're ever going to play,'" Stillman said this week. "I had to take an approach that way. There's a lot who don't play."

Panthers coach Pete DeBoer isn't much older than Stillman and says he has followed Stillman's career since he was 16. Stillman played for DeBoer's Windsor Spitfires the year after DeBoer had departed.

"I've always been impressed with him," DeBoer said. "Until you coach him, you don't realize what a smart hockey guy he is. He's got a hockey IQ that's off the charts. He sees stuff before the coaches see it on the ice. That's why he's been able to hang around as long as he has and be effective as long as he has."

Stillman says he wants to stay with the Panthers, but this is the final year of his three-year deal and he knows he will likely be moved at the trade deadline. Because Stillman's family is at a tournament in Quebec, the team plans to honor him at its next home game on Feb. 27 instead of on Friday against the Red Wings.

Of course, Stillman could be traded before then. He's been through it before.

"Since that first deadline trade," he said, "there's always that feeling, an uneasy feeling that it's happened before and it could happen again."

--The Panthers might be considered a youthful team, but they have three of the 32 active players to have played in 1,000 NHL games. Stillman joined teammates Bryan McCabe and Radek Dvorak on Wednesday.

"We're either young or old. There's not much in between," DeBoer said with a smile. "Those three guys, the ones with 1,000 games, are great role models for the kids we have coming up here. The main reason for me is their love of the game. They show up at their age after the abuse their bodies have taken over the years and have energy and enthusiasm. Most days, they're the first ones in here."

--Defenseman Bryan McCabe was back in practice on Tuesday although DeBoer ruled him out for Wednesday's game against the Flyers. He could return Friday against Detroit.

DeBoer said the Panthers are already being aggressive by letting McCabe play on Friday, almost two weeks ahead of schedule. McCabe broke his jaw in a game on Jan. 15.

"He looks good, but the doctors and the trainers will say one thing and that's probably not the same as his mindset," DeBoer said. "He'll be in sooner than later. If he keeps going the way he is, I would anticipate him in there this weekend. He's adamant he'll be back this week."

--Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov originally was expected to miss only a game or two with his bruised ankle, but now the Panthers say he probably won't be back for at least another week.

--The Panthers were worried top goalie prospect Jacob Markstrom might need surgery on his injured knee. But after being checked out by doctors in South Florida, he was diagnosed with a mild knee sprain and won't need surgery. Markstrom returned to AHL Rochester to complete his rehab.

--Philadelphia's 18 shots against the Panthers in the first period was tied for the most Florida had surrendered in an opening period this season. Philadelphia also did it on Nov. 13, as did Washington on Dec. 9.

--The Panthers' penalty kill stopped four Philadelphia power play chances on Wednesday and has stopped 21 straight penalties dating to Feb. 1 at Toronto.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"I'm at a loss. You show 100 people that play and 100 people will say it's a goal, yet Toronto says it isn't. What are you going to do?" -- Panthers coach Pete DeBoer after the Panthers lost another review by Hockey Central.

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