Who will be the Lightning's next general manager?

Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik relieved general manager Brian Lawton of his duties on Monday, ending Lawton's two-year tenure with the team. Vinik's next move will be to hire a CEO - he is in the process of interviewing candidates - who in turn will hire the next general manager.

Here is a list of potential general manager candidates:

Doug Risebrough: The former Minnesota Wild general manager has ties to Wild vice chairman Jac Sperling, who is helping Vinik organize things, and is currently consulting with the New York Rangers.

Claude Loiselle: The former Lightning assistant general manager is doing part-time work for the Toronto Maple Leafs since being let go in September, but knows the organization, knows the league and helped author the CBA during time spent with the league office. He won't be unemployed long.

Steve Yzerman: His stock grew exponentially after building the Canadian Olympic gold medal team. But would he leave the Detroit Red Wings, where he played his entire Hall of Fame career and currently is vice president of operations, knowing he might be the heir apparent to Detroit general manager Ken Holland?

Dave Nonis: The former Vancouver Canucks general manager has been Brian Burke's right-hand man for three organizations, currently as senior vice president of hockey operations for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Nonis did well in four years at the helm in Vancouver.

Jim Nill: The long-time Detroit Red Wings assistant general manager has a proven record during 12 years with club, excelling in the team's draft process. He might be willing to take on the head role.

Ron Hextall: The former NHL goaltender has spent four seasons as assistant general manager of the Los Angeles Kings, also responsible for running the minor league team with success.

Jay Feaster: The general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2004 Stanley Cup championship team would be sentimental favorite. He is still on the payroll, but the new regime likely will want new personnel.