Former Lightning GM Jay Feaster speaks with the media
Jay Feaster wants to win the Stanley Cup, again.
General Manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2002 to 2008, Feaster admits his drive to succeed still very much exists after capturing a Stanley Cup championship in 2004.
“Having already won a Stanley Cup I very much want to do it again,” said Feaster. “I also firmly believe that I will be a better and more effective manager the second time around.
“The chance to succeed again excites me.”
Resigning as GM of the Lightning in the midst of a management shake up and sale of the team in July 2008, Feaster, 47, expressed interest this past off-season in the now-filled GM vacancies in both Minnesota, filled by Chuck Fletcher, and Colorado, filled by Greg Sherman.
Had Feaster landed the gig in Minnesota, one of his first tasks would have been whether to re-sign oft-injured superstar Marian Gaborik, who ultimately joined the New York Rangers as a free agent.
“It’s not possible to provide a hard and fast ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer if Gaborik would have been re-signed,” said Feaster. “I would have sat down with his agent (Ron Salcer), who I got to know during the time one of his other clients (Darryl Sydor) played for his us in Tampa Bay. I would have made it a point to visit with Ron and, if possible, Gaborik, to determine whether there was a common ground and whether the possibility existed to sign him to something that made sense for both sides.”
Feaster also expressed interest in the GM duties of the Colorado Avalanche, working with Pierre Lacroix, with whom he previously worked alongside during his time with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League. At that time, the Avalanche was the parent club of the Bears.
“I believe very strongly in my ability to manage and am confident I could have made a very positive contribution to the future success of the Avalanche,” said Feaster. “I have a very good relationship with (Pierre) Lacroix and the opportunity to work with him again would have been satisfying for me both personally and professionally.”
Feaster, holding a law degree, originally joined the Bears in 1989, a company he had done legal work for in his home state of Pennsylvania. Feaster would work under the team president before being named as general manager the following year and, in 1997, he led the franchise to its eighth Calder Cup championship. That same year, Feaster was named AHL Executive of the Year.
The following year, in 1998, the Tampa Bay Lightning began to reshape their front office, and Feaster was added as the assistant general manager to legendary hockey mind Jacques Demers, also the coach of the Lightning. It was Feaster’s duty to handle the legal matters, tasked with Collective Bargaining Agreement issues and contract negotiations.
But in 1999, the Lightning would again change ownership, causing the fall of Demers, who was replaced by Rick Dudley. It was only three years later when Dudley would resign as general manager, after a fallout when the team’s ownership rejected Dudley’s proposal to deal future franchise player Vincent Lecavalier.
Feaster, who often stated he did not want to be known as the general manager who traded Lecavalier, admits he considered dealing him to the Vancouver Canucks in 2006 to obtain Roberto Luongo, who had yet to sign a contract extension with his new club.
“The only way I could reverse my previously stated position would be to acquire another franchise player in his place and for me, Luongo is that type of player,” said Feaster. “Losing (Nikolai) Khabibulin 2005, we never adequately addressed our goaltending.
“We knew Luongo was capable of winning games by himself. How many times over the years (when Luongo was with the cross-state Florida Panthers) had we hammered him with 50-plus shots only to lose the game, or win 1-0? I was convinced that our fans would understand moving Lecavalier if it meant obtaining a true franchise goalie in return,” said Feaster. “At that time, we still had Brad Richards, who could have moved to the No. 1 centre slot. But, discussions with Vancouver ended once they were able to get Luongo signed to a long-term deal.”
With the resignation of Dudley, Feaster was named general manager of the Lightning in February 2002, ultimately beginning the franchise’s climb to the pinnacle, bringing both competitiveness and respectability to the team. Feaster would again receive Executive of the Year honours in 2004.
Being with the non-traditional market Lightning for eight years, Feaster can relate to the current situation facing the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes.
“There are a lot of issues at play in Phoenix. I don’t know whether the market is a good one, but in all non-traditional hockey markets you have to win if you want the build and maintain a fan base,” said Feaster. “I watched it in Tampa Bay when were losing 45 to 50 games every year. At some point, no matter how great your marketing or how beautiful your facility, fans simply won’t pay for tickets.
“You have to win, and win consistently. That hasn’t happened yet in Phoenix.”
But after eight years with Tampa Bay, Feaster resigned last year.
“Last season was difficult in Tampa Bay, but I think the organization made significant strides this past off-season establishing a clear-cut chain of command. From the outside looking in, GM Brian Lawton is clearly in charge of hockey decisions,” said Feaster. “The club had a very good entry draft and I believe (Victor) Hedman is going to be a future star and signing (Mattias) Ohlund provides a solid mentor for him.
“The blueline is vastly improved, the top-six forwards, with the addition of (Alex) Tanguay, are as good as any in the league, and the goaltending is solid. If they can stay healthy, and if Lecavalier plays the first-half of the season proving to make the Olympic team, I think the Lightning will indeed compete for a playoff spot right through the end of the season,” said Feaster.
As for the upcoming season, Feaster likes the moves made by both the Calgary Flames and the Philadelphia Flyers.
“I really like what the Flames did this off-season – no question they acquired the No. 1 defenseman available. They hired an outstanding coach who has the full confidence and support of the general manager,” said Feaster. “In the East, Philadelphia had a great off-season. In my mind, we could be looking at Calgary vs. Philadelphia in the Finals.”
Through six seasons with Tampa Bay, Feaster led the Lightning to a 207-165-62 record, winning two division titles and capping off that performance by winning the franchise’s first Stanley Cup championship in 2004.
Those accomplishments, among others, are surely enough reason why Feaster will find a second tour of duty as a National Hockey League general manager. ∆
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For the complete Jay Feaster interview, including his thoughts on Gary Bettman, the NHLPA, Sean Avery, and more, download the General Manager Rankings issue of the Corywilkins.ca E-magazine.
