Can Duncan Siemens Crack The Colorado Avalanche Roster This Year?
By Andrew Dill
Eleventh overall pick Duncan Siemens by the Colorado Avalanche poses for a photo portrait during day one of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft at Xcel Energy Center on June 24, 2011 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Nick Laham/Getty Images North America)
During the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the Colorado Avalanche selected defenseman Duncan Siemens 11th overall. As you may know, defenseman can take a little bit more time to develop, which we have seen with the 21-year-old Siemens out of Edmonton, Canada. For example, last season we saw 1st overall pick Nathan MacKinnon tear up the league, earning Rookie of the Year honors as he revitalized the Avs’ to make the playoffs.
Siemens, 21, probably might not crack the big club right away, but if an injury happens, expect him to be the first in-line for a promotion.
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Duncan played in 46 games last season for the Lake Erie Monsters (Affiliation of the Colorado Avalanche), where he collected one goal and three assists. The prior year (2012-13′) with the Saskatoon Blades, Siemens had quite the year statistically for a defenseman. The 6-foot-3, 192 pound defenseman recorded 32 points (3 goals, 29 assists) in 70 games, while recording an assist in four games during the playoffs.
We all know the Colorado Avalanche could use some help on the blue-line, which I personally think held the team back last season. Erik Johnson had a resurgent year while players like Tyson Barrie and Nick Holden stepped up their respective games. The Avs’ would also add veteran defenseman Brad Stuart in the offseason to shore up the defense.
If I had to guess, I’d expect to see Duncan Siemens in an Avalanche jersey this season, whether it’s sooner or later.