2011 Draft Prospect: Duncan Siemens

(picture courtesy of sports.yahoo.com)

Statistics (2010-2011) Saskatoon Blades (WHL): 72GP 5G 38A 43P +40 121PIM

Currently ranked 10th by ISS, the Sherwood park native would be a pipe dream if he was somehow available with Los Angeles' first round pick in the 2011 draft. I highly doubt that Edmonton is able to move into the top 4-5 to select one of the big four but I do think they have a realistic chance to draft Siemens. The guy hits like a truck and knows how to play good way hockey. Despite being an incredible +40 on his team I still feel like he has a bit of room for improvement in his gap control and needs to focus on defence instead of the big hit sometimes. Having said that, I'm not sure that would make who he is. Siemens strives off playing physical and brings some of that nasty side teams like to see.

Perhaps the biggest thing with Duncan is that he is a relatively late birthday, so close that he would be a 2012 draft prospect if he was born 8 days later. This is surprising to say the least given how physically mature the kid already is. He has great footspeed for someone his size and reads the play well. He gets his stick in passing lanes and is a coaches dream for a shutdown pairing defenceman. He has a strong work ethic and is still able to help transition the puck. Still, he is going to have to work on his puck control skills and offensive game without taking away from his defensive work- this coming from a defenceman who finished with 43 points. He still has a good hard shot and could be a top pairing defenceman at best. He will however probably be more of a shutdown guy at the next level.

When Saskatoon ends up going to the memorial cup I wouldn't be surprised at all if we see Siemens stock rise to that of Luke Schenn of the Toronto Maple Leafs. I wouldn't be surprised if he is drafted a bit higher then Colten Teubert (drafted 13th overall in 2008) as well. If he is still available at 9 or 10 I would even consider moving our own 2nd round pick plus LA's first round pick to move up and snag him. Would a team like Minnesota or Columbus consider this deal? I guess it would depend on where LA ends up picking.