A fanatic for details, both teensy and weensy. Mad about pushing players up to, and beyond, their limits. Crazy enough for confrontations and a plain nut when it comes to accountability.
Least ways, that is John Tortorella's impression. He suspects, and fears, the world sees him as some wacky, out-of-control kook.
Which, most certainly, is not true.
He's not out of control.
As for the rest?
Why not figure it out for yourself.
The Lightning achieved far beyond the most sensible expectations a year ago. A division banner will be raised tonight in the St. Pete Times Forum. Hope is no longer lacking and faith is a regular companion.
And what's so crazy about that?
As the Lightning begins its first season as a defender of any title, it is worth considering Tortorella's impact. Maybe he is not the most valuable employee on the payroll, but his mentality and methods are critical.
Naturally, there is plenty of praise to be spread around. General manager Jay Feaster has done a wonderful job in spite of a limited payroll, and has stood by Tortorella's side in vital situations. The younger players have grown and the older players have persevered.
And, still, it is not enough. Though the team may be more skilled than at any other moment in franchise history, the talent level does not automatically put the Lightning in the NHL's upper reaches.
Which is where Tortorella comes in. Forget game plans and line shifts. Do not waste your time dissecting tendencies or points of attack.
Tortorella's greatest influence has been in shaping the team's attitude. In creating a certain mind-set. He convinced the players they were greater in tandem than on their own. He got them to play as if their self-worth could best be measured in sweat.
That was his design.
The season was their triumph.
All of which helps explain how the Lightning could exceed expectations in 2002-03. And it will determine how far the team goes in 2003-04.
Because, if the players do not again buy into this concept of a daily grind and a team-first approach, the season is doomed.
It's a legitimate concern. I mean, let's face it, playing for Tortorella is no one's idea of a cush job. He is intense, outspoken and demanding. And those are his better qualities. He can also be irritating and overbearing.
Sports is littered with coaches who outlived their welcome in locker rooms and clubhouses because players turned on them or tuned them out.
If he is worried about this, Tortorella hides it well. He will not back off. Instead, he intends to push a little more.
"I have a lot of respect for my athletes. These are good people and I love being around this team," Tortorella said. "But my job is to get the most out of them, and you're not going to do that by holding hands and being warm and fuzzy in the locker room. I don't know how to do that. I know how to say what's on my mind, good, bad or ugly. And we converse from there."
Tortorella's techniques have worked because they've been the best approach for this team. And because he's been so even-handed in application.
He's not been afraid to take on the best and the brightest. A young prodigy such as Vincent Lecavalier. A veteran star such as Nikolai Khabibulin. Even a discovery such as Andre Roy. Having Feaster back him up, as well as veterans such as Dave Andreychuk and Tim Taylor, has solidified Tortorella's credibility in those situations.
"I know I get pinned as some sort of lunatic," Tortorella said. "But this coaching staff has always been fair and consistent. Yes, I'm tough. I actually don't even like to use the word tough. I want to challenge people. I like to see how much we can get out of that person.
"I've made mistakes with some of the players. I know that. I may handle them differently now. But others I may not have pushed hard enough."
Tortorella won't buy into the idea the Lightning might have maxed out last season. If some players reached a level they had never before seen, then who is to say they can not reach a little further today?
There is some validity to that idea. Lecavalier, Brad Richards and Ruslan Fedotenko still have room to grow. Khabibulin, Fredrik Modin and Ben Clymer are capable of playing better than last season.
It is not inconceivable, if things go right, that the Lightning is a better team than a year ago.
It is also a possibility, if the players forget what got them here, that the Lightning takes a huge step backward.
"I'm anxious to see how our mental toughness has grown. Because, to me, that's what it will come down to," Tortorella said. "You've done it one year. Can you do it again and again and again? That's when you gain respect.
"There's no easing back into it. Not for me. It's pedal to the metal. Because I think there's more out there. I think there's more in those players because they've gained something through the experience. So we're going to push them. We're going to challenge them to find more."
