"Meanwhile, another popular player, Jeff Friesen , stands in limbo. General Manager Doug Wilson said the Sharks will wait another few days before deciding whether to offer Friesen a contract.

"He's still in competition," Wilson said. "But we won't draw this out indefinitely, because it wouldn't be fair to the player."

Friesen, 32, came to camp on a tryout basis, hoping to finish his career where it began in 1994. Now his fate seems partly tied to the health of Marcel Goc, who again didn't skate Tuesday because of a back problem.

"I'm still here," Friesen said. "I've worked hard and I feel good about my effort. The rest is out of my hands.""