Feaster could be on the way out

General manager Jay Feaster, a major component of the Lightning’s 2004 Stanley Cup team, is in the midst of negotiations that could lead to his departure from the organization.

It was unclear whether it will be through buyout or resignation. But it seems reasonable Feaster, with three years left on a contract that pays between $800,000 and $900,000 a year, will be compensated. An announcement could come as soon as Friday.

Feaster’s duties have been greatly reduced since the sale of the Lightning to OK Hockey, and his name has been conspicuously absent from player personnel announcements.

Asked Thursday if decisions had been reached on Feaster’s role with the team, Brian Lawton, vice president of hockey operations, spoke only generally. "Jay and I are still in discussions as far as what we’ll do there," he said. "I think in the next several days we’ll reach an agreement on how it ends up being structured."

Neither Feaster nor owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie would comment.

Feaster, 45, joined the Lightning in October 1998 as assistant general manager. He became general manager in February 2002, and helped guide the team to the 2004 Cup title. He was the Sporting News' 2004 NHL executive of the year.

Comments

[PD]

A Canard Don, Bolts don't have one of the top 50 prospects. Anyteam could look into the crystal ball and ay the same thing.

We have one Dman, Kuba, with 3 or more years experience and he is a 4/5 guy at best.

Feaster should have traded the solid assets for real prospects and the team would actually have a bright future that didnt require a hope and prayer.

The Richards trade was really just a salary dump, they could have done much better.

Trading Vinny expertly would have set this team up for years.

Instead they are trying to make up for having no farm by overpaying for bit parts.

It never works in this league.

[You have GOT to be kidding]

"These were absentee owners who gave the keys to the ranch and a pretty much open checkbook to Jay. They allowed him to make every move"

After this, nothing you say can ever be considered credible.

[Don in St. Pete]

PD, I did say one of the best groups of defensive prospects. Only time will tell if I am right. That being said there is not a single decent wing prospect in our whole system. What does that tell you? Feastwer played the hand he was dealt, just like Torts. Obviously they were not good poker players and they are reaping the rewards for their actions as we speak. Those who want to pat the Pilsbury Doughboy on the back for drafting Vinny, he was the consensus #1, just like Stamkos. Even Jay couldn't screw that one up. it seems that the rest of management also had a hand in the decision not too trade Vinny, except Duds.

[PD]

Come on Ajax you are a little hard on Feastie.

He built the best pipeline of NHL Dmen in the league...ask Don.

[PD]

Come on Ajax
Feastie built the best pipeline of defencemen in the league..ask Don.

[ajax]

I have read some, not many, comments defending Feaster because owners hampered his ability to spend. PPlllllllllleeeeeeeaaaaassssee.
These were absentee owners who gave the keys to the ranch and a pretty much open checkbook to Jay. They allowed him to make every move and never forget:
These cheap owners signed the checks for 3 of the top 10 paid players in the league at one time. Yes, little market Tampa had 3 of the top 10 salaries in the league at one time. That don't sound like cheap owners to me.
If Feaster would of handled the pot of gold better he would still be here and the owners would still be here. The owners only shut the checkbook down after they saw Jay demolish their franchise with bad move after bad move.
Secondly, Vinny was a key part of the Stanly Cup run, so were about 7 other players. That is the pudding gang. That is the real failure of Jay. We went from a great DEEP hockey team with equal parts to a team of one line and 20,000,000 tied up with 3 players. That was Jay's doing and it sunk his ship, and gave me 585 sleepless nights the last three years. Please don't let him off the hook, he let the owners down, not the other way around.

[Don in St. Pete]

Breaking News.........Krispy Kreme is demanding a $300,000.00 yearly subsidy to counter the loss of what they're calling the "Feaster Factor". Reports indicate franchise may need to relocate if they can't gain the requested subsidy.

[All Local Dunkin' Donuts Owners]

this is BAD news ... REAL bad news

[Don in St. Pete]

Echo Flasher on putting the Blog in the drop down DC, much easier to navigate. Ajax was right on with his assessment of Feaster. Loyal to a fault. Both with the players and with the staff that had been around him, even though they've stunk up the draft room for years.

[Tackleberry]

OK, everyone is talking about Jabba Feaster and Dudley's dealings in 200-2004 (mostly). SO WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY (Jabba)?

Everything that WAS build in 2002-2004 is virtually gone now. Only 2 players left. As quickly as the Bolt's run was built, it was torn apart almost as fast.

He may have TRIED to do the right thing, but he had NO clue of what was needed in the team (long term).

Go back to be an office job, do some MASSIVE liposuction, reflect, go on with life.

p.s. grease your hips so you dont damage the door.

[Geografer]

By the way - totally agree with Leanmean43. It needs to be remebered that without Feaster there would be no Vinny Lecavalier and thus (without any question) no Stanley Cup.

[jhkyref]

TSN just reported it's done. Feaster is gone.
"The Tampa Bay Lightning and general manager Jay Feaster have parted ways. Sources tell TSN that club has negotiated a settlement on the remaining three years of his contract."

[Geografer]

TSN is reporting they have reached a settlement and Feaster is out.
You know say what you want about his abilities to draft (they sucked) but the fact is he was hampered by owners that didn't want to spend any money (especially last year). That needs to be taken into consideration. Is he the best GM ever? No - but could he have done better by having owners who were willing to open their wallets and even knew what hockey was.

He fat

[ajax]

PS: It was reported on this blog last year that Feaster made 2-3 million and that is why I thought he never would be let go. TOday the paper said 800-900k. Hello?, Nobrainer.
Hollywood is "negotiating" the release. Even this simple sentence shows you a business mind versus a "not business mind" that Jay had. Jay would of kept the employee and patted him on the back for job not well done until the last day and then given him a gollden parachute as a good will gesture.
Go Hollywood Go (time will tell on that little cheer)

[ajax]

The job of GM wears many hats. It is the single most important position in hockey, much so more than any one player (other than Ovechkin)
From drafts, to trades, but most importantly the numerous blank checks, he failed failed failed. He might go down in history as the single worst negotiator of all time. If I bought a car from him, I might walk out with the car free.
Many people are so loyal to the cup run, in was a grand day. The key was everything changed after the strike and from that day till present, Jay Feaster was hands down the worse GM in hockey.
Things started to go right with the dumping of the 7.8 anchor, but it was to little to late with Hollywood moving in.
For me, the moves Hollywood has made to get more bodies and more draft picks in the que next year and beyond, were more in 3 weeks than Feaster could do in 3 years.
I have always insisted Jay Feaster seems like such a nice man, but so obviouosly over his head in the job of GM.
Another great move by Hollywood in the net/net.

[PD]

Heh Donna re Duds
See Chicago

[Casper]

Get Schoeny from the Rangers. Oops, he likely would laugh at the Hollywood Hucksters, so forget that idea.
File Jim Schoenfeld and Pat Burns under "Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda."

Thanks D.C. and to your Honcho, for make access to this site easier. No, I don't care about the interlopers; I appreciate the installation of Lightning Strikes in the drop-down menu under the Blogs tab.

Thanks again...

Go Bolts!

[BoltAction]

Feaster leaving is the best thing for this franchise. Plus, since Lawton has been the De Facto GM for the past couple weeks anyways, the writing is on the wall.

Feaster is a douche. Let's get someone with experience and brains. And let's pray it's not Pat Quinn.

[Twinebulge]

“I won’t be the GM who trades the guy who may be the best player in the game at some point,” I said.

Then later Jay shopped Vinny and fielded calls from 29 GMs after the big blowup with Torts, but to his credit refused to give him away for what those guys were offering.

BTW Dudley brought us a guy named Nikolai Khabibulin who is still in the NHL, since someone asked

[Drew]

Dead on point Andy. Bottom line is he couldn't work well with a salary cap, but he should get just as much credit for our championship and playoff teams as last season. Its time to move on, there are a lot of people out there who wouldn't give a 2nd thought about hockey in Tampa if it weren't for Feaster.

[Slapnuts]

Time to make the donuts Jay.

[fricknoutstandin]

As a CAPS fan in DC, Just wanted to say your team is looking much improved since last year. More importantly, it's great to see hockey fans making noise in FL, even during the off-season. Makes me feel better about the sport in general (which is good for all of us).

I hope Stamkos is as exciting to watch as Ovy is for us. Maybe the CAPS can come in 2nd behind you guys, since you are winning the SE this year =). Look forward to some exciting games between our 2 teams next year... especially if Olie is between the pipes. I just hope there isn't any stupid animosity about the last game last year. I do LOVE watching the SE teams play that offensive exciting hockey.. the most fun teams to watch in the league. Let the rest of the league sleep on what a great product we fans get to see...

[Andy in Dunedin]

Bucs fans have spent the last 10 (almost) years debating "Chucky" or "Tony". I contend that the team would not have won it without the influence of both men - at the particular times they served, given the situation with the team at those times.

The same is true for Dudley and Feaster. Dudley took a pretty crummy team and built it up. But he didn't know when / how to stop tinkering and let things alone to settle. This cumulated with the almost-trade of Vinnie. (Yes, LeanMean43, I also recall the stories at that time. I understand Dudley feels the reason he is no longer in Tampa is that JF stabbed him in the back with Sr. mgmt. And from the article you posted, JF openly admits it, albeit for "the right reasons".)

The problem? Dudley could build, but not show patience. JF can show patience, but not build.

I appreciate what JF has done for us, and his name should be prominently mentioned when the Cup year is discussed. Time to move on, though, for both sides. Hopefully we can be discussing another Cup year soon - and even if not, things will be, uh, interesting ...

[GP]

VOTT,

Check out this article. It outlines what leanmean is talking about. It took awhile to find it but I remembered reading it.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/11898-Jay-Feasters-Blog-Taking-control-in-Tampa.html

[GP]

VOTT,

Check out this article. It outlines what leanmean is talking about. It took awhile to find it but I remembered reading it.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/11898-Jay-Feasters-Blog-Taking-control-in-Tampa.html

[Voice of the Turtle]

Leanmean43:

Thank you for your post about the General Manager found to be the worst in the NHL by the Hockey News, Jay Feaster. Note that he dispensed with the four players you so prominently mentioned: Fedotenko, Sydor, Stillman and Lukowich afterwhich the Lightning started their descent to their 2007-08 position to the depths of NHL hell. Stillman went on the win another Stanley Cup with Carolina, and Sydor got to the finals last year with the Pens.

Feaster was Dudley's assistant. You are suggesting that he went behind his boss' back to petition Bill Davidson's support in retaining Lecavalier. Sir, No one reported that, and, frankly, I doubt it.

Jay's drafting skills which you admire so greatly, account for not only a significant portion of the Lightning failures in recent years, but also is relected in the perpetually wretched condition of the team's minor league system. It is failure heaped upon failure. Of the six draftees currently on the team's roster at the end of the last season, only Ranger would be considered marketable at any significant level. The others really fail to particularly impress anyone with a good understanding of the game.

Sorry to say, neither will your post.

[Leanmean43]

Are you guys kidding me? Dudley was going to trade Vinny, and Feaster (assistant Gm at the time)stepped in to prevent it by telling ownership that it was a foolish trade. So you can thank Feaster for keeping Vinny when Dudley was going to trade him. Dudley is the one who screwed us with the draft, name one player he drafted that is with the Lightning or even in the NHL. Dudley was also constantly trading away talent. Feaster brought stability to give this team time to gel, and he made additions by trading draft picks, rather than breaking up the chemistry the team had.

Feaster made some key deals to help the Bolts win the Stanley Cup.

1. He traded the 4th overall pick in 2002 for Ruslan Fedotenko who scored both goals in game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

2. Traded for Sydor in January of 2004 which helped the Bolts go on that long run that would eventually help them land the top seed in the east. (they were 10th in the east after December in the 2003-2004 season before that deal was made)

3. He signed Cory Stillman before the 2003-2004 season, and Stillman recorded 80 points that year and was a key top six forward.

4. He traded a pick for Brad Lukowich a solid contributor the Cup year.

Feaster's drafting hasn't been all bad. Feaster drafted 6 guys currently with the team: Ranger, Lundin, Craig, Smaby, Tarnasky, and Ramo. But he also drafted a few players that will probably make the team within a year such as: Mihalik, Helenius, Tyrell, and Fadden.

So in summary Feaster brought in 2 key top 6 forwards, and 2 key top 4 defensemen the Cup year. I don't know if the Bolts would have won the cup without those deals, especially the Sydor deal because the bolts were BAD the first half of the cup year until Sydor was brought in.

YOU CAN THANK FEASTER THE MOST FOR PREVENTING DUDLEY FROM TRADING VINNY!!!

[Leanmean43]

Are you guys kidding me? Dudley was going to trade Vinny, and Feaster (assistant Gm at the time)stepped in to prevent it by telling ownership that it was a foolish trade. So you can thank Feaster for keeping Vinny when Dudley was going to trade him. Dudley is the one who screwed us with the draft, name one player he drafted that is with the Lightning or even in the NHL. Dudley was also constantly trading away talent. Feaster brought stability to give this team time to gel, and he made additions by trading draft picks, rather than breaking up the chemistry the team had.

Feaster made some key deals to help the Bolts win the Stanley Cup.

1. He traded the 4th overall pick in 2002 for Ruslan Fedotenko who scored both goals in game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

2. Traded for Sydor in January of 2004 which helped the Bolts go on that long run that would eventually help them land the top seed in the east. (they were 10th in the east after December in the 2003-2004 season before that deal was made)

3. He signed Cory Stillman before the 2003-2004 season, and Stillman recorded 80 points that year and was a key top six forward.

4. He traded a pick for Brad Lukowich a solid contributor the Cup year.

Feaster's drafting hasn't been all bad. Feaster drafted 6 guys currently with the team: Ranger, Lundin, Craig, Smaby, Tarnasky, and Ramo. But he also drafted a few players that will probably make the team within a year such as: Mihalik, Helenius, Tyrell, and Fadden.

So in summary Feaster brought in 2 key top 6 forwards, and 2 key top 4 defensemen the Cup year. I don't know if the Bolts would have won the cup without those deals, especially the Sydor deal because the bolts were BAD the first half of the cup year until Sydor was brought in.

YOU CAN THANK FEASTER THE MOST FOR PREVENTING DUDLEY FROM TRADING VINNY!!!

[Donna in Brandon]

For the true fans out there, remember one thing about Feaster. He was the one with the balls to put Tortorella and Vinny in the same room and explain to them that neither one of them was leaving. It was up to them to be professional and work together. The end was result was something that should never be forgotten.....a Stanley Cup!
As for Dudley, his time is long past just like his (or anyone's) hairpiece. Dudley's revolving door of minor leaguers didn't work.

[Tampa Bay Buffet Restaurant Assoc.]

This is the worst news we have had for years.

[Don in St. Pete]

We're going to annhilalte the worthlesss caps.

[Hate da Redsox]

This is definitely a good thing. Feaster proved to be unworthy and a waste of management space.He has better luck losing weight than finding another job in the nhl.He won't be missed!

[PD]

Dudley is the guy that should be back at the switch instead of these wannabbees.

[keith]

Its tough way to make a living. 2004 was more by luck than good judgement as far as Jay was concerned. A synchronicity that he could not take all the credit for. Years of bad drafting plus some horrendous trades paved the slippery slope out the door for Jay. Thanks for the Cup, keeping Vinny, trading Ritchie and guiding the team to a first pick. Good luck Jay.....somewhere else

[Not the Marlboro Man]

Great he can now go back to reading for Jacque Lemers. He will not be missed here. Good bye and so long, its been fun, its been real, but it hasn't been real fun. 2004 was not his making, he fell into an already made team and got lucky making two or three trades with Fedetenko and Sydor. He will always be remembered for botching contracts and trading for Marc Denis. There is no place in the NHL for that kind of Tom Foolery. Good luck sharpening pencils back in Hershey again!

[Dennis]

OOP, my mistake! I meant to say the last time a team went from Stanley Cup champion to last place IN 4 YEARS was 65 years ago.

[Dennis]

Major component of the 2004 Stanley Cup team? That team was probably 70% Rick Dudley and 30% Feaster. Feaster is a major component of one of the greatest free falls in NHL history. The last time a team went from Stanley Cup champion to last place was 65 years ago. There is a reason why one major hockey publication ranked Feaster the worst GM in the league. My bet is that he'll never see the NHL again.

[Don in St. Pete]

PD or the Pillsbury Doughboy aka Jay feaster had outlived his usefulness. While I applaud the job he did bringing in Andreychuck, Taylor and Dingman for our cup run, his time is done. The attrociuos job we did on the last 10 drafts is quite evident in the bolts sytem.

[Coach Bill]

Jay's moves didn't work out. Sorry for him! He was a strong supporter for us. He really wanted to make us strong. His trades and signings were not what he expected. He gave alot of his life to us and really didn't get what he wanted in return. Good luck, Jay and God bless you and your family. Thanks for trying!

[Brian B.]

This a good thing?

[David]

Ok, which one of you guys called 2 Men and a Truck to go move him out of the Ice Palace after reading this?

[Nan]

They should compensate him somehow and let him go. It looks like there are other people doing his job now. He should be let go soon so maybe he can find a job with some other club before the season starts.

Going off topic - Damian, what is the status of Paul Ranger's shoulder?