In their formative years, the teams (all 6 of them) only had 1 sweater. It was colored. That's pretty much what visiting fans got to see. There was no TV. With the expansion to 12 teams, league and sweater visibility improved. For most of the modern era, NHL teams wore white (LA- wore Gold) at home. I contend that wearing white at home actually improved the design and look of the white sweater. Heck, the Sabres home white sweater has always been a better looking uni than the blue away one. (My personal opinion. Other are sure to disagree.)
Starting in 1966 and thru the early 00's, fans across the US saw visiting NHL teams in their full color jerseys. The change to wearing colored jersey's at home was the direct result of teams marketing 3rd jersey products (money making machine) and team equipment manager complaints that having to pack both home and away sweaters when on the road was a burden. Again, all because of the introduction of 3rd jerseys.
Yeah, this is soapbox issue for me and your post just serves as the catalyst. So no response or defense is expected or intended. I just don't care about 3rd jersey's anymore. I want a return to home whites. Esp. after the Sabres last 3rd jersey monstrosity......