The two trade-deadline cases were similar — Calgary Flames roster players dealt for draft picks.
But the reactions could not have been more different.
Winger Lee Stempniak — on his way to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a third-rounder — has been through this before.
So, about to join his fifth squad in the National Hockey League, Stempniak knew what the day would hold.
Which showed. The 31-year-old was calm, measured. Just going about his business.
But Reto Berra?
No one had heard a trade peep about the rookie netminder.
Suddenly, Berra, in exchange for a second-round selection, was heading for Denver to join the Colorado Avalanche. Be-tuqued and buzzing, he could barely stand still for reporters and react to the deadline.
“It’s funny how fast it goes over here,” said Berra, a 27-year-old from Switzerland. “I don’t know what to say. It’s special how fast it goes. I didn’t know exactly what’s going on — how many trades they do and everything like that. But, for sure, when it happens, it’s exciting and wow. Guys told me a couple days ago, ‘Wait, when it (gets) near the end, some things are going to happen.’ It was new for me.”
Originally a 2006 fourth-round pick of the St. Louis Blues, Berra — part of the return a year ago in the Jay Bouwmeester swap — will serve as the Avs’ third man behind Semyon Varlamov and Jean-Sebastien Giguere.
“I had a great time (in Calgary) — it’s a great organization . . . they gave me my first opportunity to step into the NHL, so I’m really thankful for that,” said Berra. “On the other hand, I’m really excited to go to Colorado — a great team, probably a great city, too. A really famous coach (Patrick Roy), who, when I was a child in Switzerland, was probably one of the biggest (names). I’m excited and happy.”
Brian Burke had not been actively shopping Berra.
But when the Avs expressed interested in the lanky goalie — 9-17-2 (with only a single regulation win to his credit) — the Flames boss could not turn down the generous offer.
“Trades require calendars to be evaluated rather than stop watches,” said Burke. “What Reto Berra does in Colorado will determine if this was fair value or not . . . we would not have done it for a lower pick than that pick.”
Meanwhile, Burke, for not the first time, sent Stempniak packing.
While in Toronto, he had shipped the right-winger, five foot 11 and 196 pounds, to Phoenix.
Nothing personal, though.
“I think Lee Stempniak is a really good hockey player,” said Burke. “If he was 10 pounds heavier, he’d be a dynamite hockey player. His deficiencies aren’t from hockey skill. They’re not from hockey IQ. They’re not from effort. They’re from physical limitations.”
For Stempniak, it’s been a wild couple of weeks.
He had been in Boston with wife Lindsay for Friday’s birth of their twin daughters, Lucy and Reese.
Now he moves closer — much closer — to his young family.
“Yeah, it’s nice,” said Stempniak. “Two pretty big life-changing events have happened . . . two really exciting things. I’m fortunate that things are looking like they’re really going well right now.”
Hard to argue.
Capping this latest transfer is a sweet landing spot, joining the powerhouse firm of Crosby & Malkin.
“Really exciting,” said Stempniak, who will certainly add to his 11 career post-season appearances, “but it’ll be tough to leave Calgary. I love the city, I love playing here, the fans, teammates, management, coaches. But it’s on to the next challenge.
“I’m really excited to be going to Pittsburgh. When you look at the teams in the league, that’s a team that ranks right up there. Unbelievable players and they’re having a great season. As a player, you can’t ask for anything more than to be able to play in the playoffs.”
Added Burke: “I think he can help Pittsburgh. I just talked to him and I told him, ‘You have a chance now to do something special and get some hardware out of this, so take advantage of it.’ “