I think Devils fans are afraid of change since tradition and "status quo" were hammered into our brains. While we were winning, that's great... but this is honestly the first new jersey introduced since the color change in 1992.
I don't think it's as bad as everyone says. Crazy extreme reactions are just what everyone feels the need to do.
Our green/white/red retro set are some of the nicest jerseys in NHL history... but the team loses when they wear them so everyone around here complains when they wear them. If the team wins a few games with these black sweaters on, the perception will change.
One thing bothering me is a lot of the people (moreso on Twitter) complaining just wanted a carbon copy of the current jersey just black instead of red. How boring is that? That's some Lou Lamoriello crap if he were forced by the league to produce a black jersey. The team is taking some chances, doing some marketing, trying to appeal to all levels and age groups of this fanbase and also tried to do something for the new generation we are entering. The only thing I can say with confidence is that if the players absolutely hated them, they wouldn't exist.