Faceoff Factor

Tampa Bay and GM part ways

Ashley Gallant | National Hockey League

Jul 11, 06:19 PM | Hype this story!

The Tampa Bay Lightning continues to change the franchise as it is announced that the team has negotiated a settlement with GM Jay Feaster on the remaining three years of his contract.

Feaster was hired by the Lightning in 1998 as an assistant GM and was later promoted to general manager in 2002. He helped the team to win the Stanley Cup in 2004 and was named the Sporting News’ NHL executive of the year.

In the five full seasons that Feaster has been GM, Tampa Bay has made the playoffs four times and won the division title twice (2002-03 and 2003-04). It was after last season’s disappointing finish that the team and its new ownership decided to make somewhat radical changes.

The news of this agreement is not a surprise, since it was reported at the beginning of the month that Feaster has had little to do with the team’s signings these last few weeks. Feaster confirmed this in a statement released today.

“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. 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.”