Sportswriters are known for a few things: a sixth sense when it comes to free food, polyester fashion crimes against humanity, and, most notably, the ability to move their feet from floor to mouth without breaking stride.

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Lightning coach John Tortorella could tell you all about it, only he won't, at least not as it pertains to his personal run-ins with the press. He's much more concerned with the performance of his players. As a result, the Lightning are printing playoff tickets for only the second time in franchise history and the first time in seven seasons.

It's not like Tortorella doesn't have reason to be upset with the media. When one publication's 2002-03 season preview picks yours as worst team in the league (see: Illustrated, Sports) and another predicts you to be the first coach fired (see: News, The Hockey), you shouldn't be castigated for being a little wary toward writers.

But, to his credit, Tortorella didn't lash out at the slights. He didn't belittle the talent provided to him by general manager Jay Feaster. All he did was make his team better. Worlds better.

After all, this is the Tampa Bay Lightning we're talking about. For so long, they've served as Stiff Central, filled to the lid with fringe players and also-rans.

Think of some of the "legendary" -- and we use the word facetiously -- names who've earned NHL money wearing a Bolt on their jersey: Enrico Ciccone. Danton Cole. Vladimir Vutjek. Mick Vukota. Jaroslav Svejkovsky. Rudy Poeschek. They had a Gretzky, but his first name was Brent. Suffice to say, there will be no "Beyond the Glory" episode chronicling the Lightning's first decade.

All the more reason, then, to marvel at Tampa's turnaround from a 59-point, 29th-place finish in 2000-01 to 69 points and 27th spot last season to 91 points and, quite possibly, its first division title this year. And if you talk to enough people, you'll realize much of it has to do with the patched-up relationship between Tortorella and star center Vincent Lecavalier.

"Both Vinny and John now work hard to find that common ground," said assistant coach Craig Ramsay, who watched teacher and student butt heads last season. "I think each of them understand what the other person is capable of and they're working together for the benefit of the team."

Certainly, the changes have helped Lecavalier. After bottoming out last season with a career-worst 37 points -- down from 51 in 2000-01 and 67 the previous season -- he has rebounded with a vengeance, tying a career high in goals (25) and leading the Lightning with 76 points, another personal best for the 22-year-old. Not bad for someone who heard trade rumors after being touted as a franchise player.

According to Ramsay, Lecavalier's resurgence can be traced to a full training camp (he missed last season's as a result of a contract dispute).

"Saying that last year was tough on Vinny is an understatement, but he never quit," Ramsay said. "He made a big commitment to the team and came into camp this year in great shape, which was a big step forward for himself and for the franchise."

Veteran Lightning center Tim Taylor sees an interesting parallel in the relationship between Tortorella and Lecavalier.

"I compare it to the situation between Scotty Bowman and Steve Yzerman in Detroit," said Taylor, a former Red Wing who was there to witness the franchise's evolution that helped produce three Stanley Cups in six years. "There was a point in their relationship where things didn't seem like they'd work out, but both sides eventually came to believe they could combine to do something special. I think something similar is happening here between Vinny and John."

That Tortorella was willing to stand up to Lecavalier last season -- and that ownership stood behind him on it -- sent a message to his players, a message that has made the Lightning that much tighter: no one person, no matter how much talent he has, no matter how many times he's been compared to Michael Jordan, is above the system.

"It's easy for a coach to beat up on his third- and fourth-line guys, but John doesn't hold back on anyone," Ramsay said. "He wants the best out of every guy in the lineup and doesn't make exceptions."

Tortorella's fiery temperament is well-known ("There's a lot of fire in the boy," Ramsay said), but a subtle change in strategy late last season also helped tilt players' trust in his favor.

"We did a few things differently after the Olympic break last year," Ramsay said. "We weren't as hard on guys when they made mistakes. We now try and give players a chance to atone for their mistakes, to let them know they don't have to walk on eggshells every time they make a play."

And while Tortorella's refusal to talk about himself in interviews makes the lives of local beat writers and Lightning PR staff harder, it has further endeared him to his charges.

"John really believes he's just the guy who's making sure things go well and I think the guys recognize he's not about having his ego fed," Taylor said. "My highest accolades go out to him; I think it'd be a shame if he isn't coach of the year."

He might not win coach of the year, but he's at least coach in the clear. That likely isn't good enough for Tortorella, but it's manna from heaven for Lightning players, fans and ownership.

About time, too.

E-mail Adam Proteau at aproteau@thehockeynews.com.

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