Hockey fans, what is your opinion of Mike Gartner?

Question

And do you think the Washington Capitals should retire his number?

Answer 1

Mike Gartner is the most underrated 700 goal scorer in NHL history, hands down. Not only that, for many years Gartner rivaled Paul Coffey (and later the likes of Peter Bondra and Sergei Fedorov) as the fastest man in the NHL. A total class act for 20 seasons, and was traded just as the Rangers were on the verge of ending their 54 year championship drought. Talk about horrible timing by Neil Smith and company! By the way, the Capitals should retire his number. He was much more important to the team than Yvon Labre! Hell, Mike Ridlely and Michal Pivonka were much more important to the Caps than Labre (but that's another story for another time).

Answer 2

Unbelievable durability and consistency at a high level of play and production. His trademark slappers from the top of the right circle in the 80's were comparable to similar Lafleur feats in the 70's.

Ultimately, not having won a championship will follow him much as it does for Jim Kelly and Dan Marino in football. That, however, should not greatly detract from the fact he posted over 700 goals in 20 NHL seasons.

I'd say Gartner is perhaps the most deserving Cap to have his number retired, along with the likes of Rod Langway and Peter Bondra.

Lubers: Right, and I thought there was talk of the same for Bondra. No?

Answer 3

He was a great player. As a hall of famer, first round draft pick of the club with ten years of service, currently second on the Capitals all-time list of goals, assists and points and first in points per game I would say they should probably retire his number. If they do though, I would say that they should also retire Scott Stevens number.

Zap: Languay's number is retired.
Zap2: If there hasn't been talk about Bondra there should be. He played there for 14 seasons and is their all-time leader in goals (472), points (825), power-play goals (137), game-winning goals (73), short-handed goals (32) and hat tricks (19). He scored 52 goals in the only season the Caps made it to the finals.

Answer 4

Total class. While the trade that brought him to Minnesota (Dino for Gartner) wasn't popular, Gartner did make a lot of fans up here.

Answer 5

I think he was a decent hockey player. I also think he should have his name on the cup from 93-94 since he helped the Rangers so much during the season only to be traded away. I think he and the Caps didn't get along too well and his number should not be retired.

Answer 6

Gartner and the Capitals have a complicated relationship. They lied to him. He's attended as few functions as possible since the trade. I realize that there is new ownership and new management but some feelinds die hard.

Answer 7

He is the fastest player I ever saw next to Paul Coffey and MAYBE Sergei Federov in his prime. He was consistent, hard-working, and a good team-player. That said, he always left me wanting more. Regardless, after ten years with a Caps jersey on playing at such a high level, it is amazing they have not retired his number.

Answer 8

Underrated.