If not Jay, then who?

[Donnie D]

Ok, you become the President of the Lightning under the new ownership and you get the opportunity to pick the GM. I know that there are some vocal critics of Jay - so this is your chance. Who do you think would be actually available and want to run this team?

[astro]

Ron Hextall..... i don't know.... just throwing a name out there.

[WaiverWire]

I would have to at least attempt to see what Scotty would want. I do think he could be had if you offered the President's position/GM.

[dannybolt]

I think Doug MacLean is available.;)

[chad]

If Jay has to go, I think they probably clean out everything. Coach, GM, Barber, Loiselle...

OK brings in his/their preferred GM with a mandate to sign Vinny longterm and a rebuild-on-the-fly takes place.

I don't want this to happen, but it's hard to find another option right now as nearly everything else has been tried - at both the NHL and AHL levels.

[Donnie D]

I agree. So I take it you would retain Feaster and give him another chance to rebuild with a reasonable budget?

[chad]

If this were NY or Toronto, they'd be gone already. Of course, that would mean Toronto would have actually won a recent Cup, which is laughable.

But anyway...

If I had to guess, I think he's staying, and probably Torts too, but be put on a short leash.

As for my opinion...

(takes a deep breath)

This will be 3 full seasons post-Cup. 2 playoff appearances and what will likely be a trip to Panther Row at the Draft.

On the surface, that doesn't look like the ax should fall. It looks like the effects of wide-spread parity and roster turnover.

However, I said in another thread that we have to use our eyes when looking at the team and not points in the standings to see that this team isn't going anywhere. It would therefore be hypocritical of me to then say just look at the playoff run and now the one non-playoff season and NOT look at what's gone on at both the NHL and AHL level during that time.

I like Jay. He's upfront, personable, accountable, and accommodating. I've not had many issues with his moves WHEN THEY WERE MADE. I don't know how in the hell some of these moves didn't work out. But... when big contracts back your management team into a corner and you are forced to bat near 1.000 with moves because of it - you better bat near 1.000.

Hindsight clearly shows the management team is batting well under the Mendoza line (legit excuses or not) - and has for 3 years - so it's hard not to see the need for another batter.

I hate how history is ignored in pro sports, but we live in a win-now age.

[chad]

Another thing...

My favorite excuse is to blame Dudley for his drafts and the holes in the system right now that are exposing how shallow TB is. I blame him for everything. Heck, when I forget to pick up the milk on the way home from work I blame him.

I'd like to think when the system is healed from the Dudley years and with an owner who will spend the Cap (something I'm counting on) -- both things that cover the roster moves that inevitably don't work out -- that this team could be one of the few long-term coaching/management team in pro sports. (IMO, system and depth are the keys to sustaining success at the NHL level)

But do you view Feaster for the last 3 years, or for the Division and Cup years when moves like Stillman, Fedotenko, Sydor, and such were working?

Is he The Sporting News Exec of the Year with a Cup ring, or is he (what is the term) "Cheeto Jay"?

Was he lucky then or just unlucky now?

I think it's 50/50 right now... but again, it's a win-now/what-have-you-done-for-me-lately sports world.

[Hoek]

I think if we're going to make big moves then I somewhat agree with those who are skeptical that Feaster has the ability to pull the trigger on the right ones. His strength has been more in his hesistancy to make kneejerk reactions that certainly would have backfired even worse than standing put, but we've been stung by his recent earnest attempts to plug up specific, significant holes in the roster.

But who to replace him with.. as long as we're tossing names.. maybe give Espo another shot at it with a real ownership behind him? I don't know.. I'd have to ponder over it some more.. Bowman as suggested by WW is a given.. Perhaps anyone with a Red Wings, Sharks, or Ducks pedigree..

[CTLightning26]

I Like Jay. He's made mistakes, but I agree with Chad. At the time of the deals that didn't work out, the only one I was against was Lukowich.
I think he deserves another year with Koules. If things are not moving positively after next year, maybe it's time for a change.
The only guy I would want is Bowman.

[RSchmitz]

I want Jay to make ONE long term productive deal. Can anyone honestly say that Feaster got the best of any of the deals he has made? I think the O'Brien deal he made has that potential, but thats it.

[Bolthed]

I don't see how he can keep his job. Just no way. And in my eyes, it'll be VERY telling if OK just retains everyone. Hoek is absolutely right in pointing out that Feaster was the stand pat guy. That's not luck, that was a mindset and I give him credit that it worked brilliantly. He deserves massive credit for the Cup win because of that, and if you want to compare his past moves to his recent moves, then I guess you could say he got lucky that Fedotenko and Lukowich turned out to be worthy of a top-5 draft pick.

But the mainstream hockey media isn't full of bleep all the time, and Feaster has been blasted by consensus for some of his biggest moves. The Fedotenko trade was a HUGE risk. He was a third-liner with potential ... and obviously he has yet to prove he is a bonafide top-6 forward. And we all knew Lukowich as a top-4 dman was a joke. That's why we needed Sydor. And yes, it was probably luck that Svitov imploded and the BJs got nothing out of a No.3 overall draft pick. The other huge criticism was Richards' contract. Not much to say on that, other than wonder why Feaster F'd with the recipe for Richards' success. We all saw Vinny's struggles when he had the crap linemates, did we really have to see Brad go through this too?

I don't have a list of potential GM candidates, though I suppose if I really cared I could talk to some hockey media friends and gather some insight. But that should be what OK is doing. Retaining Feaster would be a huge letdown simply because this team needs an overhaul and IMHO, Jay has PROVEN to be a disappointment when it comes to trades and big contracts. I don't want him near a Boyle contract, and I don't want him near a Richards, Boyle or St. Louis trade.

Sorry for the long post, but my point is that Jay is no longer the right man for this job. I have to agree with him when he says the buck stops on his desk. He is completely responsible for the downfall of the Lightning.

[Bolthed]

One more thing, since I am still thinking about Fedotenko. We got a Cup, so we win that trade IMO. Period. But I've seen championships by the Buccaneers, Gators and Lightning, and it's very important what you do AFTER you've won. Yes, for fans, we can bask in the glory for a long time and give the team a pass or a honeymoon. But it is truly sad to see a team like the Bolts flounder when they could have and should have been a contender for years. And I'm not just talking about the lockout year that screwed us more than any other team.

So I look at Feds and I see that he couldn't build on his magical Cup run, couldn't keep a top-6 job on a scoring line and was allowed to walk away for nothing. And that is an indictment of that trade. Philly traded Pitkanen for Jason Smith and Joffrey Lupul, both of whom are doing good things. And that is what NHL general managers have to do - play cards with their rosters. Not like Pokemon Dudley, but not like Cheeto Jay spinning on his cheese-encrusted thumb, either (did that one jog you're memory, Chad?).

[chad]

Yeah, yeah I :ear: ya.



If a new guy comes in, I'm definitely hoping he's grounded, can be patient, but is not afraid to make a deal even if it's not a perfect match. They've changed to this philosophy with their drafting - taking risks like Fadden and Cunti because of the NEED for high end forward prospects... but they haven't done this at the NHL level (see "Iliana" Bryzgalov or Samsonov). Of course, as WW mentioned in another thread, word is there has been no money to do so anyway.

I'm still 50/50.

[CupChamps2004]

So I look at Feds and I see that he couldn't build on his magical Cup run, couldn't keep a top-6 job on a scoring line and was allowed to walk away for nothing. And that is an indictment of that trade.

Is it the thought process here that Fedotenko's two hip surgeries had zero impact on the quality of his play and do not factor into the long term "results" of the trade as far as being unable to keep a top-6 job on a scoring line?

[Matt]

And we all knew Lukowich as a top-4 dman was a joke. That's why we needed Sydor. And yes, it was probably luck that Svitov imploded and the BJs got nothing out of a No.3 overall draft pick.


A couple other reasons the team needed Sydor: there was no cup-experience on that blueline. Outside of Lukowich who was a scratch during his time with the Stars, I don't believe any of the defenseman made it farther than the 2nd round series the previous year against Jersey. There was leadership on that team obviously with Taylor and Dave, but I think it helped tremendously to have someone on the blueline who had been through playoff wars. Depth was also a problem. This deal payed off big time when Cullimore went down. Pratt stepped in and played a huge role, but next in line was Rumble/Neckar. I shudder to think what would have happened if one or both of those two had to play a regular shift those playoffs. Svitov was expendable no matter how he turned out in Columbus. It was the price for winning at the time to address a need. He was just another big Russian Dudley pick that showed some flashes, but ultimately did nothing useful in the NHL.

[RSchmitz]

Svitov may have turned out horrible, but to give up on that high of a pick in just a few years is risky. To think that if Atlanta doesn't win the lottery that year the Lightning end up with either Spezza or Kovalchuk makes me squint a little. So close

[Bolthed]

A couple other reasons the team needed Sydor: there was no cup-experience on that blueline. Outside of Lukowich who was a scratch during his time with the Stars, I don't believe any of the defenseman made it farther than the 2nd round series the previous year against Jersey. There was leadership on that team obviously with Taylor and Dave, but I think it helped tremendously to have someone on the blueline who had been through playoff wars. Depth was also a problem. This deal payed off big time when Cullimore went down. Pratt stepped in and played a huge role, but next in line was Rumble/Neckar. I shudder to think what would have happened if one or both of those two had to play a regular shift those playoffs. Svitov was expendable no matter how he turned out in Columbus. It was the price for winning at the time to address a need. He was just another big Russian Dudley pick that showed some flashes, but ultimately did nothing useful in the NHL.

You make some points, Matt, but my point was that Sydor was the kind of legitimate top-4 dman that had been promised for years. Look at what went into acquiring Fedotenko, Lukowich and Sydor ... and now look at what's left. A fourth-round pick this summer?

[Sotnos]

Svitov may have turned out horrible, but to give up on that high of a pick in just a few years is risky.
He had gotten 70ish NHL games, and this is a guy who was a project to begin with. I'd say they assessed him pretty well & made the right choice.
To think that if Atlanta doesn't win the lottery that year the Lightning end up with either Spezza or Kovalchuk makes me squint a little. So close
We got the booby prize in that top 3, that's for sure. :(

You make some points, Matt, but my point was that Sydor was the kind of legitimate top-4 dman that had been promised for years. Look at what went into acquiring Fedotenko, Lukowich and Sydor ... and now look at what's left. A fourth-round pick this summer?
How many teams have something to show for trades 4 years after they're completed? They helped with a Cup win, and that's all that matters.

[CupChamps2004]

... and now look at what's left. A fourth-round pick this summer?

And that silver thing with a bunch of names engraved on it.

[CTLightning26]

And that silver thing with a bunch of names engraved on it.

Yep.
don't think they win it without Sydor. He had some big games.

[RSchmitz]

bump

[pete]

Ok, you become the President of the Lightning under the new ownership and you get the opportunity to pick the GM. I know that there are some vocal critics of Jay - so this is your chance. Who do you think would be actually available and want to run this team?

I wouldn't immediately elevate him to General Manager, but I think Steve Stirling would be sensational in a front office role.

[jaydeedub]

cue dreamy smiley icon: Scotty Bowman, Craig Patrick,...the BP forum...

[backstop]

cue dreamy smiley icon: Scotty Bowman, Craig Patrick,...the BP forum...

Might not be a good idea; the ideas seem to stop at "fire feaster" :lol:

Just kidding guys

[Bolthed]

I'll take the job. I'm 100 percent positive I'll do better than Jay Feaster, but that bar is set low. I want the Lightning to win another Cup.

[backstop]

I'll take the job. I'm 100 percent positive I'll do better than Jay Feaster, but that bar is set low. I want the Lightning to win another Cup.

What would you do? Your rebuilding plan in the UFA/RFA thread was basically: sign good FA's and pray for Stamkos. Check and check. Man, you would be good.

[DrBolt]

How bout Sotnos and MissK for co-GMs? Dallas has co-GMs, and it seems to work for them.

[Sotnos]

How bout Sotnos and MissK for co-GMs? Dallas has co-GMs, and it seems to work for them.
lol

i know we're more level headed than some of you guys (& they say women are hysterical) but you all would hate it! i wouldn't mind the payraise, however

how about it K? ;)

[Bolthed]

What would you do? Your rebuilding plan in the UFA/RFA thread was basically: sign good FA's and pray for Stamkos. Check and check. Man, you would be good.

Stick around, buddyboy. You'll see I pretty much have an opinion on everything and I'm not the hindsight type. I'm proactive. I'll outline a plan for free agency. The draft, if I were GM ... well, I'd hire Pete and Chad to oversee the scouting dept. :peace:

[timothy]

lol

i know we're more level headed than some of you guys (& they say women are hysterical) but you all would hate it! i wouldn't mind the payraise, however

how about it K? ;)

I just want to know what your moderation plan for Torts would be? :D

[missK]

lol

i know we're more level headed than some of you guys (& they say women are hysterical) but you all would hate it! i wouldn't mind the payraise, however

how about it K? ;)

Payraise? I'm there! :wave: