On the flip side, Roenick extolled the virtues of his former club, the NHL-leading Chicago Blackhawks, who defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in a shootout Tuesday to make it 16 straight games with at least one point, matching the NHL record to start a season.

The former player also touched on the struggles of the Detroit Red Wings in the wake of Nicklas Lidstrom’s retirement and the physical toughness of the 2013 Toronto Maple Leafs.

“They’ve been a difficult team to play against because they’re in your face every single shift,” Roenick said. “They’re going to the net hard. (Nazem) Kadri is turning out to be the player everyone hoped that he would be. Let’s hope it continues. I know I’m one person that wants to see this playoff drought change. It’s just not the same not having Toronto in the playoffs.”