Devils, Timo Meier Hit the Ice for Practice in Denver | NOTEBOOK

DENVER, CO -- The Devils practiced at Ball Arena with a new face, Timo Meier, who they met after arriving in Denver earlier in the day. Read our Devils Notebook for more plus videos from the day.

Clarke Called Up

The Devils have called up Graeme Clarke from Utica (AHL). Clarke leads the Comets with 20 goals and 44 points in 51 games. He joined the team today in Denver.
Clarke has not played an NHL game in his career but is relishing the opportunity to potentially do so in his first call-up.
"Everyone's dream is to play in the NHL. I want to be a consistent NHLer," Clarke said.
Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said that consistency is one part of Clarke's game that has really improved over last season. Last year, Clarke played 52 games for Utica and had 10 goals and 24 points. This year his numbers are nearly double.
"Last year was a tough year for him but this year he's found his game. Scored a lot of big goals down there and I've heard nothing but good reports. His camp was good, played a lot of pre-season games so we'll see if he gets into the lineup," stated Ruff.
Clarke added that he felt like the momentum from a good summer and good camp really helped him this year.
"I thought I had a really good summer and a really good camp. The goal is to get here at some point. Happy to be here and we'll see how it goes," he added.
The 21-year-old said that he gives a lot of credit to his teammates for the success he has.
"It's been building all year with the team down there. There's a lot of good players down there helping me score, too. Just shooting it more, getting in more scoring areas. That's helped a lot."

Workflow in Denver

The lines at practice Tuesday were similar to Monday, with Clarke on the sidelines and not taking part in line rushes.
Tatar - Hischier - Mercer
Sharangovich - Hughes - Bratt
Palat - Haula - Boqvist
Wood - McLeod - Bastian
Clarke
Siegenthaler - Hamilton
Graves - Marino
Smith/Bahl - Severson
Vanecek
Schmid

Meier's Status

Still nursing an upper-body injury, Timo Meier did not skate with the team at the start of practice. When he did hit the ice near the end of it, he got a bunch of stick taps from the team.
"It's definitely a very exciting feeling just coming here and meeting all the guys," Meiers remarked. "You can tell right away they're a great group of guys. It put a smile on my face getting on the ice for the first time with them."
Meier had been at the rink for awhile, eagerly anticipating the arrival of his new team. With the weather in New Jersey, the Devils were late arriving.
"Came here, unpacked my bag and waited for them to arrive. It was a bit of a delay due to snow."
The injury should hopefully not keep Meier on the shelf for much longer. Ruff gave an update.
"He can't do a lot until he gets through his tests but just trying to get through the steps," Ruff said. "Testing, protocol he has to follow. Getting cleared for contact, that should come in the next day or two."
Meier can't wait until that moment.
"Progressing and I'm anxious to go and play but there's some thing you've got to fix first, get 100% ready. Listen to the body. Just working with the medical staff to get me out there in game action as soon as possible."

Graves Returns

Ryan Graves spent the first three seasons of his career in Denver with the Avalanche and while tomorrow won't be his first game back, he noted that it's still special to play here.
"I was in the city for three or four years and you make a lot of memories. It was where I played my first NHL game and where I got my start in the League. It's nice to come back. It's a good city."
Ruff was asked about impact Graves has had on the lineup this season, evolving into one of the NHL's best shut-down defenders.
"He's played well. He's been solid defensively," Ruff began. "That pair of him and Marino are a pair that have played against top lines all year. He jumps in and gets opportunities. Both sides of the game have been good and he's been a big part of why we've won the number of games that we've won."

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- WATCH: DEVILS NOW - Friends of Timo - WATCH: Meier's First Media Availability - WATCH: Tom Fitzgerald 1-on-1 - WATCH: Fitzgerald's Media Availability