John Leyba / The Denver Post)
DENVER — Duncan Siemans was considered a "bust." Fair or not, that's how the 24-year-old defenseman was viewed, and the Avalanche was willing to split ties with him.
Colorado selected Siemens 11th overall in the 2011 NHL draft, and six years later, just before the start of this hockey season, the Avs placed him on waivers, but no one wanted to take a chance on a guy who was veteran in age but below rookie-level in experience.
"At that point, I controlled what I could," Siemens said. "The rest was up to fate.