CAMP AT A GLANCE
	Fans hope Steve Shields isn't a hold out for long.
	Coach: Darryl Sutter '99-00 record: 35-37-10 Camp location: Ice Center (San Jose, Calif.) Report date: Sept. 9 Preseason schedule: Sept. 15: Phoenix (Oakland, Calif.) Sept. 16: Anaheim Sept. 19: Minnesota (Portland, Ore.) Sept. 23: Los Angeles (Bakersfield, Calif.) Sept. 24: at Anaheim Sept. 27: Minnesota Sept. 29: Los Angeles

The Sharks didn't do very much during the offseason. Obviously, GM Dean Lombardi felt it wasn't necessary, given the fact that his club has improved each season since the '96-97. San Jose has youth at each position and should be poised to make another step forward. Center Scott Thornton was the most significant acquisition. But all positives aside, no team in the league enters camp with as many key, unsigned players as the Sharks do.

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

Question mark: Is D too young?
The Sharks went from the fourth-ranked club defensively in '98-99 to the 13th ranked last season. San Jose also gave the younger players more ice time. Sheer coincidence? Not likely. Players like Brad Stuart and Scott Hannan learned some hard lessons, but it remains to be seen whether or not they can improve this season. Training camp will be a great measuring stick as to their progress.

The only two veterans of note are Gary Suter and Bryan Marchment. Depending on how the young players look in camp, don't be surprised if Lombardi goes out and obtains another veteran before the puck drops for real in October.

Biggest position battle: Right wing
The Sharks have a plethora of quality right wingers. Owen Nolan, if/when he signs, has the top spot locked up, but after that, it's a free-for-all. Veterans Todd Harvey and Tony Granato will get tested by the likes of Jonathan Cheechoo, Matt Bradley, Adam Nittel and Miroslav Zalesak. At least one of those aforementioned players -- all rookies -- will make the squad.

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

Jonathan Cheechoo (Right wing):
With a name like that, this guy is a can't-miss for the NHL. Cheechoo was selected in the second round (29th overall) in '98 and averaged over 30 goals a season in each of his last three for Belleville of the OHL. He possesses a solid frame (6-foot, 205 pounds) and plays both ends of the ice well.

Training camp roster
Goaltenders: Terry Friesen, Johan Hedberg, Miika Kiprusoff, Evgeni Nabokov, Steve Shields, Vesa Toskala.

Defensemen: Greg Andrusak, Steve Bancroft, Rob Davison, Christian Gosselin, Scott Hannan, Shawn Heins, Robert Jindrich, Tero Maata, Bryan Marchment, Robert Mulick, Marcus Ragnarsson, Mike Rathje, Brad Stuart, Gary Suter.

Left wings: Larry Courville, Jarrett Deuling, Doug Friedman, Jeff Friesen, Alex Korolyuk, Eric LaPlante, Marco Sturm, Scott Thornton, Chad Wiseman.

Centers: Eric Betournay, Vincent Damphousse, Ryan Kraft, Andy Lundbohn, Patrick Marleau, Jim Montgomery, Michal Pinc, Mike Ricci, Mark Smith, Rejean Stringer.

Right wings: Zoltan Batovsky, Matt Bradley, Jonathan Cheechoo, Adam Colagiacomo, Joe Dusbabeck, Todd Harvey, Stephane Matteau, Adam Nittel, Owen Nolan, Mikael Samuelsson, Niklas Sundstrom, Miroslav Zalesak.

Charles Avellino is a lead NHL researcher at ESPN.