Editing New Jersey Devils (section)

==Team identity==

===Jerseys===
[[File:OldDevils.png|right|thumb|300px|The old green style jerseys used from 1982 to 1992|alt=Two jerseys, the left primarily white, the right mostly red. Both feature red, white and green stripes at the bottom, the sleeves and the shoulders.]]
[[File:NewDevils.png|right|thumb|300px|The jerseys used from 1992 to 2017|alt=Two jerseys, the left primarily white, the right mostly red. Both feature red, white and black stripes at the bottom and the sleeves. The shoulders have a black yoke.]]
The team colors are red, black and white, and they can be seen on both the home and road jerseys. The home jersey, which was the team's road jersey until the NHL swapped home and road colors in 2003,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statenews.com/article.phtml?pk=15112|title=NHL 'quacked' up with hockey jersey switch|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011235927/http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2003/01/nhl_039quacked039_up|archive-date=October 11, 2007|first=Kristofer|last=Karol|publisher=[[State News]]|date=January 27, 2003|access-date=August 30, 2006}}</ref> is dominantly red in color. There are three black and white stripes, one across each arm and prior to the 2017–18 season, one across the waist. The road jersey (the team's former home jersey) is white in color with a similar design, except that the three stripes are black and red. The shoulders are draped with black on both uniforms. Before the [[1992–93 NHL season|1992–93 season]], the uniforms were green and red with slightly different striping,<ref name="sportsnj">{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nhl/nj/njdevils.html|title=New Jersey Devils history|work=Sports E-Cyclopedia|publisher=Tank Productions|date=March 25, 2006|access-date=March 25, 2006}}</ref> leading some fans to affectionately refer to them as "Christmas colors".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2009/09/many_liked_original_new_jersey.html|title=Many liked original NJ Devils colors|first=Rich | last=Chere |work= The Star-Ledger|date=September 2, 2009|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref> The color green was chosen to reflect New Jersey's nickname as [[List of U.S. state and territory nicknames|"The Garden State"]] and the [[Legends and tales of the New Jersey Pine Barrens|New Jersey Pine Barrens]], home of the Jersey Devil.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/release-devils-unveil-adidas-reverse-retro-jersey/c-319641392|title=RELEASE: Devils Unveil Adidas Reverse Retro Jersey|publisher=New Jersey Devils|date=November 16, 2020|accessdate=October 20, 2022}}</ref>

During the Lou Lamoriello era, the Devils refused to join the trend of teams unveiling [[third jersey]]s, and continued to do so well after Lamoriello left in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=393099|title=NHL Insider: Third jerseys getting first-rate reviews|author=Dan Rosen|publisher=National Hockey League|date=November 18, 2008|access-date=November 23, 2008}}</ref> Lamoriello had stated that he did not ever intend to introduce a third jersey for the Devils, saying, "I don't believe in it", Lamoriello said. "I strongly believe that you have to have one identity as a team. We want to create a feeling that our home and away jerseys are special and that it means something special to wear one."<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.espn.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=hradek_ej&id=1643967 | title = Lou knows how to develop Devils | magazine = [[ESPN The Magazine]] | first = EJ | last = Hradek | date =October 22, 2003 | access-date =October 11, 2008}}</ref> Unlike most teams, the Devils kept the same uniform design when the NHL switched to the [[NHL uniform#RSince 2007: Reebok Edge|Rbk Edge]] jerseys by [[Reebok]] for the [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08 season]].<ref>Swayne and Dodds, p. 980.</ref>

On August 20, 2009, Lamoriello announced that the Devils would wear their classic red, white and green jerseys on their [[Saint Patrick's Day]] 2010 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lamoriello stated, "The original red, green and white jerseys are a part of our history here in New Jersey. We have always been an organization that takes great pride in its tradition. This is something we believe our fans will enjoy for that one special night."<ref>{{cite web|title=Devils to wear classic sweaters|publisher=National Hockey League|date=August 25, 2009|url=http://devils.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=487020&navid=njd-home-dl|access-date=February 26, 2015}}</ref> Martin Brodeur wore a special replica helmet of the one from his first NHL game.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chere|first=Rich|title=Martin Brodeur excited to wear original Devils colors and replica mask|work=The Star-Ledger|date=March 17, 2010|url=http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2010/03/martin_brodeur_excited_to_wear.html|access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Chere|first=Rich|title=Devils continue domination of Penguins, gain tie for Atlantic Division lead with 5–2 victory|work=The Star-Ledger|date=March 17, 2010|url=http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2010/03/devils_continue_domination_of.html|access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref> The throwback jerseys continued to be used, including for games on or around St. Patrick's Day over three different seasons and in the [[2014 NHL Stadium Series|2014 Stadium Series]] against the Rangers, on January 26.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chere|first=Rich|title=How do the Devils feel about wearing the green and red retro jerseys?|work=The Star-Ledger|date=March 16, 2015|url=http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2015/03/how_do_the_devils_feel_about_wearing_the_green_and.html|access-date=March 17, 2015}}</ref>

On June 20, 2017, the Devils revealed updated uniforms for the 2017–18 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/heritage-performance-progress/c-290008390|title=Heritage. Performance. Progress.|date=June 21, 2017 |publisher=National Hockey League}}</ref> Made by Adidas, the new sweaters are the first major change to the team's look since they replaced green with black. They feature the removal of the stripes on the bottom of the sweater, and also thicker sleeve stripes with equal width bands of white and black.<ref>{{cite web|title=2017-18 Adidas Jersey|url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/team/adidas-jersey|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=August 10, 2017}}</ref>

The Devils wore their classic white, red and green uniforms for four home games in the 2018–19 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Devils unveil Heritage Jersey for 2018-19 Season|date=August 21, 2018 |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/devils-unveil-heritage-jersey-for-2018-19-season/c-299814032|publisher=New Jersey Devils|access-date=August 22, 2018}}</ref>

The Devils rolled out a "Reverse Retro" alternate uniform in collaboration with Adidas during the 2020–21 season. The team used the original uniform template worn from 1982 to 1992, but green served as the base color instead of red.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ledra |first=Cristina |date=December 1, 2020 |title=Reverse Retro alternate jerseys for all 31 teams unveiled by NHL, adidas |publisher=National Hockey League |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-reveals-adidas-reverse-retro-jerseys/c-319633384 |access-date=December 5, 2020}}</ref>

After eschewing the trend of "third jerseys" under Lou Lamoriello, the Devils finally unveiled a full-time alternate uniform early in the 2021–22 season. This uniform featured a black base and white stripes spread across the shoulders and sleeves. "Jersey" in white script lettering and red drop shadows is stitched in front with lacing at the neck. The uniform was designed by Devils legend Martin Brodeur and was largely influenced by the history of ice hockey in New Jersey.<ref>{{cite news|title=Devils Unveil First Third Jersey|url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/devils-unveil-first-third-jersey--release/c-328228578|publisher=New Jersey Devils|date=November 23, 2021|access-date=November 23, 2021}}</ref>

During the 2022–23 season, the Devils unveiled a new "Reverse Retro" alternate uniform in collaboration with Adidas. The team again used the original uniform template worn from 1982 to 1992, with white as the base color, but with red, navy and gold striping. The color [[Color scheme|palette]] was chosen to honor the Devils' previous identities, the [[Kansas City Scouts]] and the [[Colorado Rockies (NHL)|Colorado Rockies]], and the club's 40th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/devils-2022-reverse-retro-jersey-revealed--release/c-336579388|title=Devils 2022 Reverse Retro Jersey Revealed|publisher=New Jersey Devils|date=October 20, 2022|accessdate=October 20, 2022}}</ref>

In the [[2024 NHL Stadium Series|2024 Stadium Series]], the Devils went with a red and black-based uniform minus the white trim. The "NJ" logo was modified and enlarged without the circle.<ref>{{cite news|title=2024 NHL Stadium Series jerseys revealed for outdoor games |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2024-nhl-stadium-series-jerseys-revealed-for-outdoor-games|website=NHL.com|access-date=January 26, 2024}}</ref>

===Logo===
The Devils' logo is a [[monogram]] of the letters "N", and "J", rendered with devil horns at the top of the "J" and a pointed tail at the bottom. The monogram was red with a green outline when the team began playing in New Jersey, but the outline color was changed to black in 1992, due to difficulties in making the green color consistent between its logo and jerseys. The logo sits inside an open black circle, and lies on a field of white in the middle of the chest on both uniforms.<ref>{{cite web|last=Uschak|first=Roman|title=NHL's New Jersey Devils All-Time Logos, Uniforms and Arenas (1974–present)|website=Bleacher Report|date=November 19, 2011|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/947874-nhls-new-jersey-devils-all-time-logos-uniforms-and-arenas-1974-2011|access-date=February 19, 2015}}</ref> Before the Devils' move from Colorado in 1982, then-owner John McMullen's wife designed a prototype logo, which was then modified by a professional graphic design and marketing firm, and became the green-and-red logo used by the team for the first ten years in New Jersey.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/zaz8yx9isu9zhsx1sdw2f1day/New_Jersey_Devils/1983/Unused_Logo| title = Unused Logo: 1982| publisher = SportsLogos.net| date =August 18, 2010| access-date =March 30, 2014}}</ref>

===Mascot===
[[File:N.J. Devil - Bruins at Devils on Apr 2 2008 (53) (cropped).jpeg|thumb|NJ Devil, the team's mascot]]
The mascot is "NJ Devil", a {{convert|7|ft|m|adj=on}} tall devil who plays into the myth of the [[Jersey Devil]]. NJ Devil keeps the crowd excited, signs autographs, participates in entertainment during the intermissions, skates across the ice, throws T-shirts and runs throughout the aisles of the arena to high five fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newjerseydevils.com/2003/community/mascot.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060520080712/http://newjerseydevils.com/2003/community/mascot.html|archive-date=May 20, 2006|title=NJ Devil – The Official Mascot of the New Jersey Devils|publisher=New Jersey Devils|year=2003|access-date=August 30, 2006}}</ref> Prior to 1993, the mascot was "Slapshot", a large Devils [[hockey puck]] that interacted with the fans. The man inside the costume resigned after he was accused of touching three women inappropriately while in costume. The man agreed to undergo psychological counseling for a year as part of his agreement to avoid trial.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 25, 1994 |title=Devils' Mascot Faces Charges |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/04/25/devils-mascot-faces-charges/ |access-date=February 16, 2017}}</ref> To remove the stigma of the lawsuit, Slapshot was retired and has not returned since.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.citypaper.net/articles/112901/cs.cover2.shtml|title=Former Eagles mascot Dean Schoenewald is still crazy after all these years|date=November 29, 2001|first=Jon|last=Hart|access-date=August 30, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050719080011/http://citypaper.net/articles/112901/cs.cover2.shtml|archive-date=July 19, 2005}}</ref>

===Traditions===
[[Arlette Roxburgh]] has been the team's primary national anthem singer at home games since 1996 and is a favorite among Devils fans. Pete Cannarozzi has been the team's organist since 2001. His organ playing has been instrumental in bridging the Devils' tradition from the [[Meadowlands Arena|Meadowlands]] to [[Prudential Center]]. In addition to playing during breaks in play and at the end of a period, he also provides Arlette or another local performer with accompanying music during the national anthem.<ref>{{cite web |last=Molak |first=Andre |date=January 7, 2015 |title=One Devil of an organist and hockey fan |url=https://www.nj.com/devils/2015/01/one_devil_of_an_organist_and_hockey_fan.html |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=[[NJ.com]] |publisher=[[Advance Publications]]}}</ref>

Some of Prudential Center's most vociferous fans can be found in Sections 233 and 122, home to groups of Devils fans whom self-identify as the Crazies and the Diablos, respectively. The 233 Crazies were originally created in 1993 as the 228 Crazies at the Meadowlands. They are known for their custom, triple-digit Devils jerseys reflecting their section number with "CRAZIES" on the nameplate, and are the source of many chants and generally enthusiastic behavior. A handful of 233 Crazies typically attend every Devils home game and some road games as well.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fan Clubs |url=https://devils.ice.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=92511 |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website= |publisher=New Jersey Devils}}</ref> The Diablos of Section 122 were originally conceived in part by the Devils' management in 2011 by extending a special season ticket offer to and actively seeking input from fans seeking to participate in a European-style [[Supporters' groups|supporters' section]] similar to those popular in [[Major League Soccer]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2011/11/9/2550136/the-devils-supporter-section-diablos-122-november-report | title=The Devils Supporter Section: Diablos 122 - November Report | date=November 9, 2011}}</ref> ultimately in an effort to liven-up in the in-arena atmosphere following a poor campaign on the ice. While the Diablos have ultimately ceased to be supported directly by the organization and the following ownership group has focused on different methods of enhancing the fan experience, Section 122 and its general vicinity continues to be a source of more raucous behavior and general hostility towards opposing teams.

Mark Baumann, simply known to fans by his last name, Baumann, is a long-time season ticket holder familiar to many Devils fans for starting the D-E-V-I-L-S chant, dating back to 1995. He commonly wears a white Devils jersey with his name and the number 00.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/pages/devils-fan-guide-chants | title=Devils Fan Guide: Chants | date=January 24, 2010}}</ref>

===Rivalries===
[[File:Averyrule.jpg|thumb|[[Sean Avery]] of the [[New York Rangers]] attempts to distract Brodeur during the [[2008 Stanley Cup playoffs]]. The playoff series was the fifth to feature the [[Devils–Rangers rivalry]].]]
The Devils developed strong rivalries with two teams out of geographical proximity and frequent playoff confrontations. The [[Devils–Rangers rivalry|"Battle of the Hudson River"]] with the New York Rangers is so-called as the Devils' arenas in the [[New York metropolitan area]] were always less than ten miles and across the Hudson River from [[Madison Square Garden]].<ref name="RivalRangers">{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/186606/detail.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071016153215/http://nbcsports.com/nhl/186606/detail.html|archive-date=October 16, 2007|title=Devils visit rival Rangers for first time in '06–07|access-date=November 14, 2006|year=2006|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> New Jersey's proximity with Pennsylvania also led to a rivalry with the Philadelphia Flyers, the "[[Devils–Flyers rivalry|Battle of the Jersey Turnpike]]". The Flyers have a large following in [[South Jersey]] and train in [[Voorhees Township, New Jersey|Voorhees Township]]. Both teams had the most titles of the Atlantic Division prior to the 2013 realignment, with nine to the Devils and six to the Flyers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1530022-breaking-down-the-devils-flyers-rivalry|title=NHL: Breaking Down the Devils-Flyers Rivalry|website=Bleacher Report|first=Terence|last=McGinley|date=February 14, 2013|access-date=February 20, 2015}}</ref>

===Style of play===
{{Update section|date=July 2024}}
The Devils have been known as a defense-first team since head coach Jacques Lemaire's first tenure,<ref>{{cite news|last=Chere|first=Rich|title=Reputation as 'trapping coach' bothers NJ Devils' Jacques Lemaire|work=The Star-Ledger|date=September 18, 2009|url=http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2009/09/reputation_as_trapping_coach_b.html|access-date=May 16, 2013}}</ref> although the Devils have twice led the Eastern Conference in goals scored, once leading the NHL in goals scored (295 goals for in 2000–01).<ref>{{cite web|title=1999–00 NHL Season Summary|publisher=Hockey-Reference|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2000.html|access-date=May 16, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2000–01 NHL Season Summary|publisher=Hockey-Reference|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2001.html|access-date=May 16, 2013}}</ref> Lemaire gave the Devils their defensive mantra when he implemented a system commonly called the "[[neutral zone trap]]".<ref>{{cite web|last=Mazzeo|first=Mike|title=Jacques Lemaire one win away from 600|publisher=ESPN|date=February 11, 2011|url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/nhl/news/story?id=6109482|access-date=May 16, 2013}}</ref> This system is designed to force teams to turn over the puck in the neutral zone leading to a counterattack.<ref>{{cite news|title = Caught in a trap: almost every team in the NHL has implemented a "system", but what exactly does that mean?|date =January–February 2004|last = Kreiser|first = John|publisher = Hockey Digest}}</ref> This style of play led the team to be chastised by the media and hockey purists for "making the NHL boring."<ref>{{cite news|title = Boring is beautiful: the Devils' defense-first style may be hell to watch, but it's hard to argue with the results|date =January 2001|last = Anderson|first = Chris|publisher = Hockey Digest}}</ref> Nevertheless, the Devils were successful using this style of play, and Devils head coach Larry Robinson asserted that the Montreal Canadiens teams he played on in the 1970s (who also won the Cup many times) used a form of the trap, though it did not have a name.<ref>{{cite news|title = Scrap the trap—please|date =September 20, 2004|last = Yorio|first = Kara|work = [[The Sporting News]]|volume = 228|issue = 38|page = 56}}</ref>

Under head coach [[Brent Sutter]], the team adopted less of a trap and more of a transitional, aggressive forechecking style of play which also emphasized puck possession and instilled the cycle to start the 2007–08 season.<ref name="pressure">{{cite news|url=http://www.sny.tv/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060930&content_id=1410377&oid=36218&vkey=15|title=Devils trying to love pressure|date=September 2006|publisher=SNY.tv|access-date=November 14, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927012151/http://www.sny.tv/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060930&content_id=1410377&oid=36218&vkey=15|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref> This led to many high scoring games early in the season for New Jersey. The Devils went on to score 244 goals in the 2008–09 season, the most the team had scored in eight seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2009/04/in_playoff_run_new_jersey_devi.html|title=In playoff run, New Jersey Devils seeing stars emerge in Zach Parise and Travis Zajac|access-date=February 25, 2012|date=April 20, 2009|work=[[The Star-Ledger]]|author=Brendan Prunty}}</ref> However, with the return of Lemaire as head coach, the Devils resumed a more defense-oriented playing style, scoring just 222 goals and allowing only 191, an NHL best in the 2009–10 season, earning [[Martin Brodeur]] his fifth [[William M. Jennings Trophy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=WJT&year=2009-10|title=Silverware – 2009–10&nbsp;William M. Jennings Trophy Winner – Brodeur, Martin|publisher=Legends of Hockey|access-date=March 26, 2015}}</ref>

Lemaire has since re-entered retirement, and was replaced by former Florida head coach Peter DeBoer on July 19, 2011. The team showed greater offensive prowess during the 2011–12 season, employing a more aggressive forecheck centered on Ilya Kovalchuk.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/gametracker/preview/NHL_20120224_VAN@NJ/canucksdevils-preview|title=Vancouver at New Jersey|access-date=February 25, 2012|work=CBS Sports|quote=New Jersey is boasting some impressive offensive depth of its own, scoring 39 goals in the last 11 games – 14 during its four-game winning streak.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=555411|title=Kovalchuk carrying Devils with timely goal-scoring|date=March 8, 2011|access-date=February 25, 2012|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref> Under DeBoer's system, according to Lamoriello, the Devils' defenseman were often sent into the offensive zone to apply pressure on the opposing team's defense.<ref>{{cite news|last=Klein|first=Jeff|title=Devils Follow Example of Their Coaches' Success|work=The New York Times|date=June 2, 2012|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/03/sports/hockey/devils-follow-example-of-deboer-and-other-coaches.html|access-date=March 8, 2015}}</ref> After DeBoer's dismissal, [[Adam Oates]] had a similar approach improving the Devils' offense, investing on the versatility of the forwards.<ref name=oates/> Oates left the organization in 2015, and the head coaching position was filled by [[John Hynes (ice hockey)|John Hynes]], who shifted the focus to a more "fast, attacking, supportive" style of play in an effort to score more goals.<ref name="hynesyh">{{cite web |last1=Cooper |first1=Josh |title=John Hynes Devils to be 'fast, attacking, supportive' |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/john-hynes-devils-to-be--fast--attacking--supportive-172404857.html |access-date=May 1, 2025 |website=Yahoo Sports |date=June 2, 2015}}</ref> Hynes remained as head coach until he was dismissed in 2020, replaced by long-term assistant [[Alain Nasreddine]], who kept the same general strategy intact with a slight increase to offensive execution.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mastracco |first1=Abbey |title=How interim coach Alain Nasreddine has changed the NJ Devils |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nhl/devils/2020/01/10/nj-devils-coaching-search-alain-nasreddine-changes-made/2833813001/ |website=northjersey.com |access-date=May 1, 2025 |date=January 10, 2020}}</ref> In 2021, Nasreddine was replaced by [[Lindy Ruff]]. Under Ruff, the Devils were known to play with an up-tempo style that highlighted the speed of their young talent.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wyshynski |first1=Greg |title=Devils sign coach Lindy Ruff to multiyear extension |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/38631937/devils-sign-coach-lindy-ruff-multiyear-extension |website=ESPN.com |access-date=May 1, 2025 |date=October 11, 2023}}</ref> Ruff remained as head coach until he was replaced by his assistant [[Travis Green]] during the 2023–24 season, who maintained a similar style of play as interim, but with a focus on encouraging the players to adopt a stronger mentality.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Slompo |first1=Jordan |title=Is Travis Green the Long-Term Solution for the Devils? |url=https://thehockeywriters.com/is-green-long-term-solution-for-devils/ |website=The Hockey Writers |access-date=May 1, 2025 |date=March 8, 2024}}</ref>