When Buffalo Sabres training camp opens next week, at least 16 forwards are likely to think

they will earn a starting job. One problem: Only 12 are available.

The Sabres simply have too many forwards capable of playing in the NHL (though the

effectiveness of each is open to debate). The Sabres enter September having failed to weed out

their numbers, so competition for the 12 starting jobs will be a major focus when the players

return to HSBC Arena.

The top six spots are virtually assured. Tim Connolly figures to center left wing Thomas

Vanek and right wing Jason Pominville, while Derek Roy is likely to be in the middle of Jochen

Hecht and the still-unsigned Drew Stafford. Hecht's performance and stock dropped last season,

but he has a staunch supporter in coach Lindy Ruff, who likely will start the left winger in a

prominent role to see if he can rebound.

The third and fourth lines are expected to feature the fiercest competition.

Center Paul Gaustad and right wing Mike Grier seem to form a formidable pair for the third

unit, leaving the left wing spot open.

Patrick Kaleta is effective in his fourth-line agitator role, but there's no clear-cut

favorite to be his center and left winger.

There certainly are plenty of candidates.

Four returning veterans are among the contenders: Adam Mair, Daniel Paille, Clarke

MacArthur and Matt Ellis. Three hopefuls are intent on jumping from the American Hockey League

to the big leagues: Tim Kennedy, Nathan Gerbe and Mark Mancari.

Something's got to give.

There are no surprises with Mair. The 30-year-old has spent the last six seasons with the

Sabres. Though he set a career high with eight goals last year, he is best known for providing

the toughness and drive the Sabres have often lacked.

Ellis, claimed off waivers at the start of last season, has been widely praised by Ruff and

General Manager Darcy Regier. Ellis had seven goals and 12 points in 45 games during his first

year in Buffalo.

"Matt Ellis ... can be the consummate role guy down there on the fourth line, a guy who's

accepting of his situation," Ruff said earlier this summer. "You look around the league and

you'd be hard-pressed to find a guy that had seven goals in 40-some games."

Paille and MacArthur may face pressure to produce quickly. Paille, a first-round pick in

2002, dropped from 19 goals to 12 last season and lacked the tenacity that defined his junior

career. MacArthur was sixth on the Sabres with 17 goals in 71 games but needs to show

consistency. The 24-year-old had goal droughts of 17 and 20 games.

Gerbe, Kennedy and Mancari will need to show they can move to hockey's highest level since

they have little to prove in the minors.

Gerbe scored 30 goals in 57 games in Portland and was named AHL Rookie of the Year. The

22-year-old was limited to one assist in 10 appearances with the Sabres but has scoring

potential overflowing his 5-foot-5 frame.

"I look at last year's training camp, I thought I had a great training camp," Gerbe said

earlier this summer. "I came in during the exhibition games, and I did find that confidence. I

had two goals in that, so that's the confidence I've got to find again and start it off right

there."

The Sabres need to determine what they have in Kennedy, who is in the final season of his

two-year deal. The 23-year-old South Buffalo native joined Gerbe on the AHL All-Rookie team

after a 67-point season, which tied Mancari for the top spot on the Pirates.

"If I have a good camp I'll have a pretty good shot at maybe getting one of those spots,"

Kennedy said this summer. "If I don't, my time's going to come hopefully, but I'm going to

push for one of those spots."

Mancari, a restricted free agent who has yet to come to terms on a contract, could be down

to his final chance. The 6-4, 225-pounder has the size the Sabres need, and his slap shot has

been measured at 102 mph. But he's already had four seasons in the minors without making the

jump.

When the Sabres take the ice Sept. 12, he'll have a lot of competition trying to find a

spot.

Shrinking job market

Sabres have at least seven players competing for three starting spots on their forward

lines:

Left wingCenterRight wing

VanekConnollyPominville

HechtRoyStafford

OpenGaustadGrier

OpenOpenKaleta

The top candidates: Matt Ellis, Nathan Gerbe, Tim Kennedy, Clarke MacArthur, Adam Mair, Mark Mancari, Daniel Paille.