Barber resigns

Tampa Bay Lightning Director of Player Personnel Bill Barber has submitted his resignation, effective July 1st, it was announced by Executive Vice President and General Manager Jay Feaster.

"Bill Barber was an integral part of our success during the past six seasons and his recommendations on player personnel helped us win the Stanley Cup in 2004,” Feaster said. “He has served our organization with great pride, enthusiasm and loyalty and we will forever be indebted to him."

>> team release

Former NHL player and ex-player agent Brian Lawton has been hired to be the new vice president of hockey operations for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Sources tell TSN Lawton will oversee all aspects of the Lightning's hockey operations for new owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie.

— TSN.ca

Another day, another front office move by the Koules/Barrie management team.

Barber has indicated he stepped down to spend more time with his family, although I'm skeptical.

The long-time Flyers player, coach and scout was the No. 1 hockey man in the Tampa Bay organization ever since Feaster took over as GM, and it was essentially his recommendations that helped him build a contender before the lockout.

Barber is only 55, but his children are all grown up, in their 30s and working in the Philadelphia area. I imagine he's headed back to the Flyers and away from what appears to be a burgeoning nuthouse in Florida.

That said, Lawton, the No. 1 overall pick in 1983, is a smart hockey man himself. He's the second agent this summer to take a high-ranking hockey ops position after Mike Gillis took over as GM in Vancouver.
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