TORONTO -- The Toronto Maple Leafs finally granted Ian Turnbull his wish Thursday, dealing the veteran rearguard to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for right winger Billy Harris and defenseman John Gibson.
Turnbull, who had been dropped from the Leaf roster last week after breaking curfew in Colorado, had asked the Toronto club to trade him before the current NHL campaign started.
Once rated one of the top defensemen in the league, Turnbull's performance had tailed off considerably in the past three years, and his seemingly complacent attitude had become a thorn in the side of Leaf management.
The Leafs had been trying to deal Turnbull since his request, but his salary -- reported to be $185,000 per season with a $25,000 bonus if he was traded -- and attitude problems had greatly depreciated his market value. It is believed Toronto may be paying part of his salary while Turnbull plays with the Kings.
In a recent interview, the 28-year-old Turnbull said he felt a change of location would help his sagging career.
'After nine seasons with the Leafs, what I need is a change of scene. What is it they say? A change is as good as a rest? If I felt I'd become a brutal hockey player, I'd pack it in. I feel I've got more good years.'
A first-round draft choice from the Ottawa 67's in the 1973 amateur draft, Turnbull had his best NHL season ever during the 1976-77 campaign, compiling 22 goals and 57 assists while playing in all 80 games with the Leafs. He also holds the record for most goals in a game by defenseman, five against Detroit in 1977.
But perhaps his finest moment as a Leaf came in the 1978 Stanley Cup playoffs, when with star defenseman Borje Salming sidelined with an eye injury, Turnbull guided the club to a seven-game upset of the New York Islanders. He was the top Toronto scorer in the playoffs that year with 16 points.
In return for Turnbull, the Leafs will be receiving Harris, a nine-year NHL veteran with both the Kings and the Islanders, and Gibson, a tough, young defenseman with only 10 games worth of NHL experience.
The 29-year-old Harris will be returning to his hometown and the arena -- Maple Leaf Gardens -- where he starred as a junior with the Toronto Marlboros. The first player chosen overall in the 1972 draft, Harris' best season in the pros came in 1975-76 when he tallied 32 goals and 38 assists.
Gibson, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound defenseman, played four games with the Kings last season while spending the rest of his time with three different minor league affiliates. He was the 71st player chosen overall in the 1979 draft.
Both players are expected to report to Toronto immediately and see action in Saturday night's game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
