CAMP AT A GLANCE
	Keith Tkachuk had injury trouble much of last season.
	Coach: Bob Francis '99-00 record: 39-35-8 Camp location: ALLTELL One Ice Den (Scottsdale, Ariz.) Report date: Sept. 7 Preseason schedule: Sept. 14: Los Angeles Sept. 15: San Jose (Oakland, Calif.) Sept. 17: Colorado Sept. 18: at Anaheim Sept. 20: Dallas Sept. 22: at Dallas Sept. 26: at Los Angeles Sept. 27: at Colorado Sept. 30: Anaheim

The Coyotes enter camp after unloading a slew of veterans during the offseason. In net, neither Sean Burke nor Bob Essensa were retained. The hope is that Nikolai Khabibulin will return after a year's hiatus. On defense, the team dumped J.J. Daigneault and Lyle Odelein. Forwards Dallas Drake and Mikael Renberg are history.

The goal of training camp? Find out who will replace these guys.

Here's a look at the rest of Phoenix's training camp.

Questions: Tkachuk, Khabibulin
As part owner, Wayne Gretzky is trying to sign Khabibulin. The netminder is currently without a contract and spent part of last season with Long Beach of the IHL. After Khabibulin, the Coyotes are left with unproven netminders Robert Esche and Patrick DesRochers.

Can Keith Tkachuk rebound from his injury-prone season of a year ago? The power forward's 22 goals were the lowest total of his career -- excluding the lockout shortened season of '94-95. A healthy Tkachuk in training camp would be a huge plus.

Biggest position battle: Everywhere
Start with goaltending. If Khabibulin returns, it sets up a good battle for the backup position between Esche and DeRochers. Both spent time with Springfield of the AHL last season, but Esche might have the early edge because he also appeared in eight NHL games.

Teppo Numminen, Jyrki Lumme and Keith Carney have the top three spots sewn up on defense, but the last four roster positions are up for grabs. The challengers include Chris Joseph, Juha Gustafsson, Stan Neckar, Radoslav Suchy and Ossi Vaananen. Looking for a dark horse? Look no further than 19-year-old Kirill Safronov. Taken in the first round (19th overall) last year by Phoenix, the Russian showed flashes last season when he notched 11 goals in 55 games for Quebec of the QMJHL.

The Coyotes are deep at center. Jeremy Roenick centers the first line, but it will be a fight to the finish for the second, third and fourth spots. Travis Green, Trevor Letowski (if signed), Yuha Ylonen and Daniel Briere are all in the mix -- although Green remains off the ice right now due to injury.

Future watch
Here, ESPN.com looks at one or two young players who could make an impact, either now or in the future.

Patrick DesRochers (Goalie):
DesRochers is a tall, lanky goalie (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) who spent his junior career in the OHL. The native of Penetang, Ontario enjoyed a decent season with Springfield of the AHL last season, going 21-17-7 with a 3.03 GAA.

Scott Kelman (Center):
Kelman, 19, has hovered at or near the 20-goal mark in each of his last three seasons playing for Seattle of the WHL. He is 6-foot-2, 185 pounds and drives to the net well. His strongest asset could be his passing. Kelman also has shown he is not afraid to get involved in the physical side of play -- he loves to work the corners -- but he might need one more year of seasoning before he is ready to perform at the NHL level.

Training camp roster
Goaltenders: Patrick Desrochers, Robert Esche, Nikolai Khabibulin.

Defensemen: Alexander Andreyev, Keith Carney, David Cullen, Dan Focht, Justin Hocking, Chris Joseph, Nate Kiser, Jay Leach, Francois Leroux, Jyrki Lumme, Mike Martone, Stan Neckar, Teppo Numminen, Kiril Safranov, Robert Schnabel, Radoslav Suchy, Ossi Vaananen.

Left wings: Ramzi Abid, Mika Alatalo, Philippe Audet, Louie DeBrusk, Robert Francz, Brad May, Brad Ralph, Keith Tkachuk.

Centers: Daniel Briere, Brent Gauvreau, Travis Green, Eric Healey, Jason Jaspers, Joe Juneau, Scott Kelman, Krystofer Kolanos, Ryan Lauzon, Trevor Letowski, Preston Mizzi, Jeremy Roenick, Wyatt Smith, Mike Sullivan, Juha Ylonen.

Right wings: Shane Doan, Tavis Hansen, Craig Mills, Jean-Guy Trudel, Landon Wilson.

Charles Avellino is a lead NHL researcher at ESPN.