Lightning
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Feaster, Bolts Heading Separate Ways
Tribune photo by JAY CONNER
Jay Feaster (left) is just the latest fixture of the Lightning's glory days to leave town, joining Brad Richards and John Tortorella.
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Published: July 12, 2008
TAMPA - Once Oren Koules and Len Barrie assumed control of the Lightning, they immediately went about a reconstruction project. And with all the disassembling and rebuilding done in the past two weeks, it was inevitable that the architect of the old regime would be swept out.
Tampa Bay general manager Jay Feaster submitted his resignation Friday, ending a 10-year run with the franchise that began when he was hired as assistant general manager on Oct. 20, 1998, under Jacques Demers.
Feaster assumed the general manager duties from Rick Dudley in February 2002 and guided the team to four consecutive playoff appearances, highlighted by a Stanley Cup championship in 2004. He had three years remaining on his contract at more than $900,000 per season, but a buyout settlement for an undisclosed amount was negotiated.
Since leaving Ottawa following the draft June 21, Feaster has been in the background as the team's roster has been overturned with additions such as Ryan Malone, Olie Kolzig, Radim Vrbata and Gary Roberts, while seeing popular defenseman Dan Boyle traded to San Jose. The additions continued Friday with the re-signing of free-agent center Chris Gratton to a one-year deal worth $1.25 million.
Feaster was not available for comment Friday, but he released a statement through the team.
"For the past two weeks I have watched from the sidelines as Brian Lawton, Len Barrie and Oren Koules executed to perfection the game-plan they shared with us prior to the NHL draft in Ottawa," Feaster said. "During that time it became apparent to me that this new ownership group did not need my advice or expertise, and I came to the conclusion that it was time to move on.
"When I expressed that sentiment to Oren and Len, they immediately agreed to honor my contract and accept my resignation. I thank them for working with me through a difficult time and I wish them every continued success."
During his tenure as general manager, the Lightning went from a laughingstock to the top of the hill. After missing the playoffs for six consecutive seasons from 1997 to 2002, Tampa Bay turned things around with a Southeast Division title and first-round playoff victory in 2003. In 2004, he was named the NHL Executive of the Year by The Sporting News after the team won the Stanley Cup.
But a year lost to the lockout followed by budgetary constraints set forth by former ownership left little margin for error as Feaster tried to keep the team competitive. By midseason last year, the inability to find a consistent goaltender since the departure of Nikolai Khabibulin and the lack of organizational depth caught up with the franchise.
The Lightning finished last in the league standings four years after winning a title. Among the key ingredients of that team removed along the way include Conn Smythe-winning center Brad Richards, who was dealt to Dallas at the trade deadline, Coach John Tortorella, who was fired last month, and Boyle.
"You look at all those pieces and the results just weren't there," said Lawton, a former player and agent who now holds the title of vice president of hockey operations. "That's a signal that changes need to be made. At least it certainly was in our eyes, and that's arbitrary. But 30th place is 30th place and that's not acceptable, and we knew that. That's just the reality and the tough side of sports.
"But this franchise is not just going to rest on its laurels because we won the Stanley Cup four years ago. I wasn't here, and I don't say that to be disrespectful or belittle anybody, but that's far removed in the sports world with how quickly teams are reshaped and remade."
Lawton, though not holding the title of general manager, will be the man in charge of reshaping the roster. He's been the principal member of the management team behind all the moves the past two weeks. And when it comes to having the final say, other than Koules and Barrie, Lawton will hold the responsibility as the point person for a management group that also includes assistant general managers Tom Kurvers and Claude Loiselle.
"It could be something like the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have not had a GM. ... We will get to that as we figure out what is best," Lawton said. "But right now between Oren, Len and myself, it's really working quite well and we're all quite pleased with it."
That includes bringing back Gratton, who was limited to 60 games last season before hip surgery ended his year in his third tour of duty with Tampa Bay.
The No. 3 pick in 1993 finished the season with 10 goals and 21 points. His addition gives the Lightning 16 forwards on one-way contracts, not counting overall No. 1 pick Steven Stamkos, who is expected to make the team and center the second line.
Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835 or eerlendsson@tampatrib.com.
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