NJ Devils players excited about alternative black jerseys

NEWARK – Devils fans have longed for a black jersey for years, but when the team released their first alternative jersey in franchise history on Wednesday, reviews were mixed.

But the consensus among Devils players? They like it.

“I think New Jersey has so much history, so much culture, and I think they did a really good job with the jersey,†said PK Subban, a self-proclaimed fashion enthusiast. “Everyone will always have an opinion about it, but I think in the locker room with the players we wear it with pride. We’re really excited to wear them.”

Throughout Tuesday, the new Devils uniforms were a hot topic among NHL fans.

While some liked them, others drew comparisons to the 2019 Chicago Blackhawks Winter Classic uniforms. And others were hoping the classic Devils logo would play a bigger role – it only appears on the pants.

Despite mixed reviews, players got a chance to try on the new jerseys and are excited to play them for the first time against the Philadelphia Flyers on December 8.

“As soon as I saw it, I liked it a lot,†said Dougie Hamilton. “I think once we see them with the full kit, socks, pants and gloves and everything, I think they look really good. I think we’re all excited to be wearing them and I think that will look pretty cool. “

For Subban, he hopes the decision to put “Jersey†in the spotlight will attract people who don’t know the team or the NHL.

“I’m a fan too, so thinking about wearing this jersey for a game, I think that’s super cool,†Subban said. “I never call it New Jersey, I call it Jersey, so having ‘Jersey’ on the front is really cool. Hope the fans really like it. For the players, we want people to be proud. to wear the jersey and support the team. “

As in most situations in professional sports, winning should appease any fan, no matter what their favorite team’s dress code is. Just look at the Boston Red Sox, who came to love their Yellow City Connect jerseys because they brought good luck.

“Change some things, change some players and hopefully win more and everything gets more exciting here,†said Hamilton. “If we win and do well I think everything looks better. I hope we can do it and look good while doing it.”

Chase De Leo joins the Devils

There is something special brewing at Utica, and Lindy Ruff and the Devils hope to bring some of that historic success to the NHL level.

With the Comets – the Devils’ AHL affiliate – winning a league record 13 straight games to open the season, the Devils called up leading scorer Chase De Leo on Tuesday while sacking Alexander Holtz.

Ruff is hopeful De Leo can bring some of the tenacity the team lacks with Miles Wood on the injured reserve following hip surgery.

“I think in the role that we’re going to use him (Wednesday night) with the way he can skate, get on the puck and help create opportunities, some tenacity, (he can) put the other team on. their heels. Ruff said Wednesday.

The 26-year-old center led the Comets with 14 points on two goals and 12 assists before being called up. This will be his fifth stint in the NHL, but he’s never played more than two games in a season at the top level.

De Leo said he’s learned a lot since being drafted by Winnipeg in the fourth round in 2014, and he hopes those lessons can lead to a longer stint in the NHL.

“It’s not just a job to come to the rink for a few hours and put on the work boots,†said De Leo. “It’s what you do when you’re away from the rink, how you take care of yourself, how you take care of your body, and there are a lot of things that come into play. Few opportunities present themselves, then you definitely have to take advantage of them when they come.