TRAVERSE CITY -- The most intriguing competition in Red Wings camp right now is who will remain among all the forwards.
   With center Steve Yzerman out of the lineup until January after having knee surgery, and the Wings apparently in no hurry to sign another experienced defenseman, five forwards are essentially competing for three spots.
   Or that could be four competing for two positions, if winger Henrik Zetterberg, after an eye-opening week of scrimmages, cements his place on the roster as expected.
   So that leaves Jason Williams, Sean Avery, Doug Brown and Stacy Roest competing for two spots.
   They could be going for only one spot if the Wings decide to sign an experienced defenseman such as Steve Duchesne or Jiri Slegr.
   The bottom line? There is a handful of able bodies working to attract attention.
   "It's a nice problem to have," Wings Coach Dave Lewis said. "It's good to have difficult choices. There's a good competition there."
   Zetterberg, 21, has nearly played himself into a secure spot on the roster after his impressive first week. He had eight points (two goals, six assists) in the first three scrimmages. He also showed the skill level that made him the best player in Sweden last year.
   "We feel he's the type of player who can progress and help us down the line," General Manager Ken Holland said.
   The other forwards fighting for jobs also have played well.
   Playing on a line with Zetterberg the first day of scrimmages, Williams had three goals and looked ready to pick up where he left off last season.
   Williams, 23, had eight goals in 25 games last season and played in nine playoff games (without a point), including an impressive effort in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals against Colorado.
   "Being out there definitely sort of opened my eyes, saying, 'I could be a potential player, star player in this league, playing on a line like that,' " Williams said of that Game 3, when he played alongside Yzerman and Brendan Shanahan.
   Avery, 23, isn't a scorer (a goal and an assist in 36 games). But he's the Wings' best agitator.
   He has had some shoving matches in the scrimmages, showing his pest-like qualities are still there.
   "I don't have a permanent spot on this team by any means," Avery said, "so I'm just trying to work hard every game and take it like every other training camp I've been in.
   "Everyone knows what I'm going to bring to the game. I don't think they're counting on me scoring 20 goals. I'm an energy guy who will try to wear down the other team's defense for seven or eight minutes and add that as much as I can."
   Brown, 38, is attempting a comeback after being out of the game for a year. He said Monday he is close to where he wants to be physically.
   The quickness and forechecking ability are still there, and Brown could stick with good performances in exhibition games.
   Roest, 28, is the longshot of the four, having signed a free-agent contract after two unproductive seasons in Minnesota. But he has surprised the Wings before.
   Roest made the Wings roster in 1998-99 after an outstanding exhibition season. The front office and coaching staff like his professionalism, offensive ability and versatility.