TRAINING CAMP: Carrick Adapting Well to Ruff's System

Following Sunday's Camp Game, Connor Carrick was asked about the nuances of Devils new head coach Lindy Ruff's defensive system.
"I appreciate clarity in our system, where there's less reads and more clarity on when to go and be on pursuit, when to be physical," Carrick began, adding that the system in place has plenty of benefits for the way he likes to play his game.
"Offensively, he's asked us to be involved. That's always been a key part of my career, how I create offense. How long you can make the other team defend," Carrick continued.
"I know for sure that Lindy and his staff have put a lot of time and effort into figuring out our strengths and it's no coincidence that we're playing a system that plays to that."
Carrick added that he was happy when he heard that Ruff would be the next head coach of the team.
"It was encouraging when he was hired," he said. "I'm all for dreaming big and having big goals but to be fair, my goal was literally on day one to have a good day one and on day two it's been that. I'm going to carry that throughout the year. There's been ups and downs with our group."
As for the particulars of the system, one key aspect has been the ability for one of the defenders to join the rush.
"We've done some offensive zone work and we want our team to be in motion," Carrick noted.