NEWARK -- Early in Dalton Prout's career, bigger was better for the Devils defenseman.

With the Columbus Blue Jackets, the 6-3 blue liner said he bulked up to 235 pounds. But as the game continues to evolve into play centered around speed and skill, Prout is pushing that number down.

Prout said after playing around 225 and up last season, he is now around 220 pounds, and ideally, he would like to begin the season around 215.

"Now I'm trying to come to camp lighter, a little bit more mobile, more of a skating and a skills focus in summer," Prout told NJ Advance Media. "I had a lot of guys from the guys at home and the guys I've trained with. Just trying to give myself the best chance to be an everyday player with this team."

Prout already looks like a more comfortable player on the ice with the Devils. He appeared in 14 games with the Devils last season, seeing his first consistent action after playing just 15 games over four months with the Blue Jackets before a March 1 trade to New Jersey.

He finished with a plus-three rating in the Devils' 4-1 preseason win over the Montreal Canadiens, and along with having a his physical presence in the defensive zone, he looked smooth and confident moving the puck out of it.

"He's a big, strong, hard-to-play-against player, which he did defensively, and he moved the puck well," Devils coach John Hynes said. "He made simple decisions. He didn't overthink plays. If there's a play there, he made it, and that's what he needs to do. If you keep his puck play simple and effective, and use his size and reach to defend well and end plays, he's a good player."

Prout is among several defensemen in competition for the three or four roster spots the Devils have along the blue line, and so far in training camp, he's made a strong case.

Even trimmed down, Prout still represents a big body the Devils could use on the defensive end, and if he plays within himself while possessing the puck, he could serve as an asset for group looking to improve off last season.

"I'm just playing simple. What I can bring to the table is trying to stay physical, clear the front of the net, be simple and efficient with the puck," Prout said. "We've got a lot of speed and skill up front with some new additions. Just let the forwards make plays, do what they're supposed to do and get the puck in their hands as fast as possible."

Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Find NJ.com Devils on Facebook.