TRAINING CAMP: Ruff Focused on Conditioning

Devils Head Coach Lindy Ruff has said that with no preseason games ahead of the regular season, he will focus on getting his players game-speed ready throughout training camp. In addition to multiple camp games and high-tempo practices, the team is often seen skating laps throughout practice and at the end of each day's ice sessions.
"I think the conditioning has come along," said Ruff. "Today was a very demanding day, by far the longest practice, by far probably the hardest practice with an ideal number of players in practice. I think different players are at different levels, I can tell you that. I think we've got some veteran players that I'm very impressed with where they're at with their skating."

Players in the first practice were on the ice for just under two hours and after a long practice had extra conditioning. Forward Kyle Palmieri believes the pace and tempo of camp so far is impressive even with the intense practices.
"The practices themselves have been up-tempo and high pace and the scrimmages have been great," said Palmieri. "One of the biggest things to get into game shape is playing simulated games."
"I would say definitely over the course of the practice we've had, you're making sure you're getting ready to be physically fit and getting ready to take on the season."
Devils forward Travis Zajac echoed similar sentiments to the media following practice Thursday.
"Today was probably our best practice. It was long, but I think you're starting to see guys getting their legs because it was up-tempo, I think there was a lot of jump. So I think that's a good sign," said Zajac. "Pace was really good and hoping [to] keep that going."
"Personally this is the best I've felt into camp," Zajac said. "I think as we inch closer to the season here, we'll be ready."