They look like big butterfly splatter coming at ya. Don't like 'em one bit. Retro- throwback stuff is in the past for a reason. It wore itself out.
Now if the NFL & NHL would catch on to that maybe the Bills would finally win a Super Bowl and the Sabres a cup.
Just humoring myself. :'(
my guess is, the plates are more visible from a distance....the white contrast may have been an issue.
What the heck do I know.