Flyers place defenseman on waivers

The Flyers placed defenseman Louie Belpedio on waivers Monday, according to a team announcement.

A 27-year-old right-shot defender from the Chicago area, Belpedio has spent most of his professional career in the minors since finishing a collegiate career at Miami University in 2018. Entering this season, he had just four games of NHL experience, all coming with the Wild – the team that drafted him 80th overall in 2014.

Belpedio has quadrupled that total this season, skating in 12 games for the Flyers early in 2023-24. The puck-moving blueliner joined the Flyers in the summer of 2022, inking a lucrative two-way deal, but spent all last season in the minors. He signed a two-way extension to remain in the Flyers organization in June but again did not crack the NHL roster out of camp and passed through waivers unclaimed in October. After recording one assist through five games with AHL Lehigh Valley, Belpedio received his first NHL call-up in quite some time on October 26.

He’s remained on the Flyers’ roster since then, playing 12 straight games after his recall. Belpedio recorded two goals and two assists, and three of his four points came during his last five games in the lineup. He did play a limited role, averaging 13:12 per game, and posted negative relative possession numbers – his 43.0% Corsi share at even strength is the worst of any Flyer to suit up for at least 10 games this season.

With veterans Rasmus Ristolainen and Marc Staal returning to action recently, Belpedio’s spot in the lineup was eliminated. He has been a healthy scratch in six straight contests, so it’s not surprising to see the Flyers attempt to return him to the minors. He needs to clear waivers for a second time this season, as he spent more than 30 days on the NHL roster and played more than 10 games since his October recall. Given he’s signed through 2025 and posted poor advanced metrics during his stint in the lineup, it seems unlikely another team will submit a claim for his contract over the next 24 hours.