Peril in changing a team’s chemistry

For one, the Devils headed into Friday night’s NHL games one point out of the final wild card spot, meaning they are probably buying rather than selling assets. More importantly, his wife is not pregnant this time.

Two years ago, Stempniak was traded from Calgary to the Pittsburgh days after his wife gave birth to twin girls. A year later, he missed their first birthday when he was traded from the Rangers to the Jets. “They were born six weeks early and five days before the trade deadline,” said Stempniak. “( Former Penguins GM Ray Shero) was great, he let me go home like four times in the three months that I was there to visit. But it certainly wasn’t easy.”

Leaving your family and living out of a hotel in a new city can be a difficult part of being traded. But it’s the not the hardest part, said Stempniak.

“The first time it happened when I was traded to Toronto, I was completely shocked by it,” said Stempniak, who scored 11 goals and 31 points in 61 games with the Maple Leafs in 2008- 09. “I wouldn’t say I’m shy, but I’m sort of a quiet guy before I get to know people, so I’m not going to command a room full of strangers. I didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes.”

Since then, the 33- yearold has learned to become more assertive. You have to be a chameleon, he said, and quickly adapt.

Still, fitting in is not without i ts challenges. “You believe you’re getting better and you believe you’re getting deeper, but there’s a certain chemistry that’s been there for 60 games in that locker-room that you’re changing,” said Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland. Former GM Brian Burke believes more mistakes are made on trade deadline day than the rest of the year. And Stempniak, despite playing on a contender and having his best season in years, is not 100- per- cent sure he won’t be moved once again.

“It’s something you know is always possible,” he said.