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Published on:

1st Mar 2026

NHL Wraparound Hall of Fame Edition - Mike Gartner

He is one of only eight players to have scored 700 goals in the NHL. He established an NHL record of seventeen 30-goal seasons. In short, Mike Gartner was born to score goals.

Currently the chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Gartner joined Neil and Vic for an in-depth conversation covering numerous topics from learning to become one of the game's great skaters to being traded near the deadline on three different occasions to his admiration of two present day legends.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:08] - Neil welcomes in Mike Gartner to NHL Wraparound's Hall of Fame Edition. Some small talk includes Vic interviewing Mike back in 1984.

[02:47] - Neil recalls a first for him when it came time to doing a contract with Mike - an historic deal from the N.Y. Rangers perspective.

[06:56] - Neil recalls the short-lived players strike in 1992. With Mike being head of the NHLPA, it did present an awkward situation with the Rangers en route to the Presidents' Trophy with aspirations of a Stanley Cup.

[08:26] - Neil shares with Mike that both of them played for the same youth team, albeit at different times.

[10:57] - One of the great skaters in the history of the NHL, Mike takes us all the way back to the beginning, where natural ability and power skating school were key elements to defining himself. This served him well not only in the NHL, but in international tournaments as well.

[15:53] - Aftercoming up through the junior ranks, Gartner signed with Cincinnati in the WHA and had a pretty renowned teammate in advance of being drafted by Washington in 1979.

[17:10] - Mike shares the players who were helpful to him upon his arrival with the Caps in 1979.

[18:43] - A few words on Brian Engblom, who was influential on prior Hall of Fame Edition guest, Scott Stevens.

[20:24] - Discussing the three deals involving Mike at or around the trade deadline from Washington to Minnesota in 1989, on to New York the next year and from the Rangers to Toronto in 1994 - a deal Neil still regrets having had to make despite the ultimate prize finally coming to the Rangers after 54 years.

[23:00] - Further discussion between Mike and Neil on the trade.

[24:14] - The brief stop in Minnesota before the trade to New York.

[26:40] - The speed becomes legend after Gartner's performance in the 1996 NHL Skills competition, only broken recently by another legend. Mike speaks about the amazing skating of Connor McDavid and where he separates himself from all others.

[28:50] - Mike notes how his offensive game might be different in today's NHL.

[31:14] - From speed and skating to goalscoring, Mike comments on the greatest ever, Alexander Ovechkin.

[34:39] - Mike's career wrapped up in Phoenix with the Coyotes and was a teammate of Keith Tkachuk, who's sons are certainly household names in the NHL.

[36:47] - The new role as full chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame succeeding Lanny McDonald and what Mike hopes to accomplish during his term.

[39:02] - Some closing words with Hall of Famer Mike Gartner.

[41:47] - Vic and Neil close with some final words.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

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About the Podcast

NHL Wraparound Podcast
Neil Smith & Vic Morren
Breadth and depth.
Contemporary and historical.
Straight-forward and experienced.
The NHL Wraparound podcast features Neil Smith, President-General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers and longtime ESPN/NHL veteran Vic Morren sharing no-nonsense opinions on news and issues around the National Hockey League.

Bringing decades of experience from their respective fields, Smith and Morren create a unique partnership that examines the NHL from multiple perspectives. Additionally, as hockey historians, the pair can delve into any topic in today’s game and enlighten the audience with connections to events from previous years. To truly appreciate where hockey stands today, one needs to understand its past.

With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of the Rangers last championship season, a special five-part series is planned to commemorate that magical run. Expect fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and special guests with particular focus on the GM who pushed all of his chips into the middle of the table amidst the most pressurized environments – and came out on top.

Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned fan, each episode of NHL Wraparound will leave you entertained and informed.


Bio’s
Neil S. Smith, highly regarded NHL executive, served as the President and General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers. During his eleven years with the team, they achieved significant success, including three division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, one Eastern Conference Championship, and a historic Stanley Cup victory—the franchise’s first in 54 years.

Known for his expertise in professional sports franchise economics, Smith played a pivotal role in management decisions under four different Rangers owners.. His tenure saw iconic trades and acquisitions, including Hall of Famers Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, as well as successful drafts and free-agent signings.

Starting as a pro scout, Smith's career highlights include the impactful 1989 draft for the Detroit Red Wings and bold trades that shaped NHL history. He briefly served as GM for the New York Islanders in 2006, later working as a consultant for the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

A Toronto native, Smith's hockey journey began in junior leagues before a distinguished college career at Western Michigan University. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including induction into the University's Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.

Vic Morren: Born in New York City close to the Old Madison Square Garden, Vic Morren has had hockey in his blood his entire life as a fan, player and television production manager.

A graduate of William Paterson University, Morren skated for three seasons with the Pioneers hockey club and became the first statistical analyst to apply his craft to telecasts working New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils games from 1984-87. He co-authored two NHL-based statistics books within that span before moving to ESPN in 1987 and working the final season of the original deal the network had with the NHL.
After departing in 1990, Morren worked as a studio producer for SportsChannel America’s NHL coverage and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics before returning to ESPN that fall where he worked all 12 seasons on the second ESPN/NHL deal and the first season of the most recent contract in 2021-22. Morren has also earned a Sports Emmy for his work on Sunday Night Football coverage in 2003.

His relationship with Neil Smith dates back 33 years through their mutual friendship with the late ESPN/ABC commentator John Saunders. Morren looks forward to NHL Wraparound and collaborating with Smith with the goal to provide an experience of contemporary viewpoints, historical spin and an overall enriching podcast experience.