Tomas Vokoun said it is great that fellow goalie Roberto Luongo was named captain of the Vancouver Canucks. That doesn't mean he desires such a title.

In fact, he sounds dead set against it.

''Not at all,'' Vokoun said when asked if being named captain appealed to him. 'Honestly, you can't do the kind of things captains do. If you are a leader in the dressing room, you don't need the `C' to show people you're that kind of guy. . . . To me, it sounds like a bad idea. I don't think it makes any sense.''

Luongo, traded by the Panthers to Vancouver in 2006, became the first NHL goalie named captain in more than 60 years. Under NHL rules, a goalie cannot wear a 'C' on his jersey. When the Canucks are on the ice, an alternate captain will fill in for Luongo to discuss calls with officials.

''They're saying you're the captain,'' Vokoun said, ``but you can't do this or that. For me, it defeats the purpose.''

Yet as far as Vancouver is concerned, Luongo is the team's captain.

''I think you lead by example,'' Luongo told reporters Tuesday. 'Obviously, the captain is also the one away from the arena who gets the guys together and organizes meetings and stuff like that. When the idea came up, I jumped at it right away. It would be cool to wear the `C' on my jersey but, at the same time, it's not a big deal. Just the fact I've been named captain is an honor in itself.''

There has been plenty of speculation the Canucks named Luongo captain to keep him happy; Luongo has two years left on the contract he signed with Vancouver soon after the trade.

If Luongo doesn't re-sign with Vancouver, he could become the most coveted free agent in the summer of 2010. And with Vancouver finding a loophole to name a goalie as its captain, other teams might follow suit with their goalies.

''It'll be different with a goalie there, but when you look at teams, look at their leadership,'' said Cory Stillman, one of the candidates to replace Olli Jokinen as Florida's captain this season.

``Good teams have had goalies as their true leaders. Look at Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur. It is a letter that people are proud to wear, but guys in the room know who the leaders are. The players know who demands the respect. It's great for [Luongo] because that shows the kind of leadership he has.''

The Panthers haven't had a captain since trading Jokinen to Phoenix during the summer. Florida has a number of candidates, although new coach Peter DeBoer said he's in no rush to make a decision.

It is possible Florida will go into the season without an official captain, DeBoer said. The Panthers believe they have a number of players -- such as Stillman, Bryan Allen, Stephen Weiss and Bryan McCabe -- who could fill such a role.

But DeBoer wants to make sure he selects the right person.

''It's very important for this franchise,'' he said.

DeBoer adds he wouldn't have a problem with a goalie holding the position, although he doesn't believe Vokoun needs a title to validate his leadership role with the team. One of the most vocal players on the team, Vokoun also is well-respected for his work ethic and commitment to the game.

DeBoer also said he's going to have a ''leadership committee,'' with a good number of players able to voice their opinions on team matters.

''I've coached a lot of teams where your goalie could wear one of the letters,'' DeBoer said. ``I've never been a big believer in it, but that doesn't mean it's right or wrong. I think Tomas is one of our leaders, regardless if he's your captain. There's a lot of leadership here, a lot of different guys. It makes a tough decision for me.''

Denis Potvin knows a little bit about the subject. Potvin, the Panthers' television analyst, is a Hall of Fame defenseman and was captain of the New York Islanders during their run of four consecutive Stanley Cup championships.

Potvin wonders whether a goalie should worry about anything other than his job during a game.

''I think this is pretty innovative,'' Potvin said. ``But goaltending is a very particular position. I think the focus is more important there than anywhere else on the ice. You don't get a chance to rest during the game. I think it's a bit of a stretch for that reason. You don't want him to lose focus and think about what he should on the ice aside from stopping pucks. Other than that, I think it's fine. I have no problem with it.''

INJURY UPDATES

• The Panthers were able to practice with almost an entire team Wednesday. Only three players were out because of various degrees of injuries. David Booth (groin) worked out on the ice before his teammates, and Nick Boynton (strained oblique) and Weiss (groin) did off-ice work. DeBoer said all three players are close to returning to practice.

• Allen (knee), a defenseman, participated in the full practice and should be in the lineup Monday, when the Panthers play host to the Islanders in their final exhibition game.

• The Panthers practice at 11 a.m. Thursday at Incredible Ice in Coral Springs.

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