Subban 'pretty surprised' that Leafs and Oilers didn't try to sign him

PK Subban shocked the hockey world this past offseason when he decided to retire from the NHL at just 33 years old.

Sure, Subban isn't the Norris Trophy calibre defenseman that he once was, but he was still a capable defender for the New Jersey Devils the past few seasons and given that he was due for a significant pay cut, someone had to snap him up as a free agent, right? Well... evidently not.

In a column with Toronto media's Michael Traikos, Subban explains how he was "pretty surprised" when neither the Toronto Maple Leafs nor the Edmonton Oilers negotiated for his services. Subban explains that while the Oilers expressed interest, they never gave him an offer. The Leafs wouldn't even take his calls evidently.

From Traikos' column for canoe.com:

“I was pretty surprised,” said Subban. “I felt I could have helped a number of teams. As a free agent, I wanted to play on a contending team. I think Edmonton showed some interest. Carolina had showed some interest. I did not have discussions with the Maple Leafs. They were not interested in signing me. 

“I think a lot of people wanted me to continue to train for the first part of the season, but that’s not the player I am. I never thought of myself as a replacement player. I was always a top player in this league. I didn’t want to be a player who is in and out of the lineup every night.

“Money was never an issue for me. It was about the opportunity to come in and help a team win. I wanted to win a Stanley Cup. But those opportunities were never presented to me.”

- PK Subban

And so now Subban's playing days are over and he's turning his focus to a new career in media. And it's a surprise to no one that Subban in thriving in that new career, becoming a star of ESPN's weekly broadcasts. Subban has always been at home in front of the camera and has a natural charisma that is evident to anyone who has ever watched him on film. 

Personally though, I'd have loved to see him give things one more kick at the can with a Stanley Cup contender. Who knows? He might have even propelled himself back into relevancy with a good season. Look at the way that Erik Karlsson is re-establishing himself as one of the best offensive defensemen in the game. I can't help but feel like Subban has the same skill set and could have replicated Karlsson's success if given the opportunity.