Feaster resigns as Lightning GM

Jay Feaster resigned Friday as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, four years after the team he helped assemble won the franchise's only Stanley Cup championship.

The Lightning won two Southeastern Division titles and made the playoffs four times in Feaster's five full seasons as GM. But Tampa Bay finished with the NHL's worst record this year, and Feaster's role diminished following a change of ownership.

Since taking control of the team last month, owners Oren Koules and Lin Barrie have been calling the shots in a major overhaul of the roster. Feaster also had little input in the hiring of new coach Barry Melrose.

Feaster was hired as assistant general manager in October 1998 and was promoted to GM during the 2001-02 season. He helped put together the team that John Tortorella led on Tampa Bay's Stanley Cup run in 2004.

Tortorella was fired as coach last month.

Feaster, who had three years left on his contract, said in a statement released by the team that he had "watched from the sideline" while the roster was being reshaped and that it "became apparent to me that this new ownership group did not need my advice or expertise, and ... it was time to move on."