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Devils assistant coach Scott Stevens (left) instructs goalie Anthony Brodeur today in Newark.

(Robert Sciarrino/The Star-Ledger)

Jon Merrill is one of the young Devils defenseman with a legitimate shot at winning a spot on the team in training camp.



After taking part in the first day of prospects camp, Merrill said he was looking forward to September to show he can play in the NHL.



"Absolutely. One thing that is different this year from last year is mentally I feel I'm in a good place. I think I'm ready going forward into training camp. I'm excited," he said.



Can he make it?



"That's not up to me. That's up to the coaches. I'm just going to come, bring my game and play the best I can. Hopefully make the team," Merrill noted.



Merrill, 6-4, 205 pounds, suffered a serious injury last season while playing for the University of Michigan. On Oct. 9, he was checked head-first into the boards and suffered a cracked vertebrae.



"I really had no idea what was going on. I was a little bit out of it. I had a concussion, too," he recalled. "A day or two after, it kind of started to sink in when I was sitting around in my neck brace. I was very fortunate and thankful it wasn't more serious.



"I feel great."



This prospects camp feels different.

"I think it's a little different. I'm just starting to feel a little more comfortable being around the organization a little bit longer," Merrill said. "I am 100 percent part of the organization now. I'm not going back to school, so it is a little bit better to get a better relationship with the coaching staff."



Playing in Albany (AHL) at the end of last season also helped.



"I think it was great. It was awesome. I was glad to go up there," he said. "I got 12 games in. Just to see what it's like to be a pro and be around some guys who've been pros for a while. I think it was really beneficial."

Merrill, 21, was the Devils' first pick (38th overall in the second round) in 2010. He was asked what he believes are the qualities needed in an NHL defenseman.



"I think everyone is different. I think there is no exact mold for an NHL defenseman these days," he answered. "I think everyone gets the job done differently. I think if you can bring something to the team, that's what they're looking for."



Coach Pete DeBoer said of Merrill: "The best way I can put it is I think the organization is excited about not just him but the quality of the young defensemen we have here. I think by far it's the most depth we have at a position in the organization and he's definitely one of those guys."

Eric Gelinas, who appeared in his first NHL game last season as well as 57 games for Albany, is also a candidate to stick with the Devils next season.

"I don't want to think about it. I just want to be here and do my thing," Gelinas said. "If it works out, I'm going to be happy about it. I don't want to set my bar so high. I want to keep everything simple and prove that I can play here on a regular basis.

"I think last year with the injury and the lockout, with NHL players in the AHL, I grew up as a player. I'm more mature now and I worked on some defensive stuff. Last year I think I proved a lot."

He overcame a serious injury last season when he was struck in the mouth and jaw by a puck.