The NHL\'s marketing department is actively encouraging teams to explore color-on-color jersey matchups, moving away from the traditional white road jersey standard. Sunday\'s Rangers-Red Wings centennial game at Madison Square Garden featured both teams in their primary colors, creating a visually striking blue-red combination.
An NHL spokesperson confirmed the league has discussed the concept at general manager and board meetings. The idea capitalizes on hockey\'s white ice surface, which makes primary-color combinations stand out more effectively than the traditional format.
Teams must receive NHL approval to both wear non-white jerseys during regular season games. The Rangers and Red Wings obtained permission for their centennial celebration, similar to past outdoor games. The 2014 Winter Classic featured Detroit and Toronto in primary colors, while Boston and Philadelphia did the same at the 2021 Lake Tahoe game.
Several factors limit widespread adoption of color-on-color matchups. Some team combinations would appear too similar, such as Carolina-New Jersey or Tampa Bay-Toronto. The visual confusion could affect fans and players alike.
Color blindness presents another significant challenge for jersey planning. The NFL faced complaints in 2015 after a Jets-Bills Color Rush game featuring green and red jerseys. The league issued a statement acknowledging it failed to account for color blindness among viewers.
Red-green color blindness would make matchups like Dallas-Calgary problematic in primary colors. The condition affects approximately 8% of men and 0.5% of women of Northern European descent.
The positive social media reception to Sunday\'s Rangers-Red Wings game may encourage more colorful combinations. The league continues to balance aesthetic appeal with accessibility and practical broadcasting considerations.