TORONTO -- The Toronto Maple Leafs Wednesday traded troubled defenseman Al Iafrate to the Washington Capitals for center Peter Zezel and defenseman Bob Rouse.
Iafrate, 24, a seven-year veteran and two-time All-Star, has been plagued by problems off and on the ice and has been the subject of trade rumors for months. He demanded a trade last week, after storming out of practice.
Leafs General Manager Floyd Smith said he wouldn't trade the Dearborn, Mich., native unless he got value in return.
'The Toronto Maple Leafs are very pleased to obtain a centerman of Peter Zezel's caliber and a solid veteran defenceman in Bob Rouse,' Smith said.
'This has been a difficult time for both Al Iafrate and the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. We think by making this trade it will help both Al and the Toronto Maple Leafs.'
Iafrate, who underwent a difficult summer rehabilitation for a knee injury sustained late last season, has three goals, 15 assists in 42 games this season.
Iafrate has been more belligerent since his injury with 113 penalty minutes this season, compared with a career high 135 minutes. Last season, Iafrate netted 21 goals and 42 assists before his injury.
Iafrate is considered a potential superstar who has failed to bloom with the Leafs.
He missed several games and was hospitalized for depression in January 1989 when his marriage broke up. His ex-wife's relationship with teammate Gary Leeman has caused considerable locker-room friction on the team.
Iafrate has recently said that situation was not responsible for his poor play.
Zezel, 25, has seven goals and five assists in 20 games this season. The Toronto native was taken by Philadelphia in the 1983 entry draft and played there until he was traded early in the 1988-89 season to St. Louis. He came to Washington in the off-season.
Rouse, 26, has five goals and 15 assists in 47 games this season. Surrey, a British Columbia native, was taken 80th overall by Minnesota in the 1982 entry draft and traded to Washington late in the 1988-89 season. In six full NHL seasons he has 18 goals and 91 assists.
Iafrate, an All- Star last season, was drafted fourth overall by the Leafs in the 1984 entry draft. In 1983-84, he played with the U.S. national and Olympic teams.
