Minnesota Wild: Top 10 Prospects Entering the 2018 Season

7. Louis Belpedio, D [22] (3-80, 2014)

Stats (Miami University of Ohio, NCAA): 37 gp, 9 g, 21 a, 30 p, 5 PPG, 2 GWG.

Stats (Iowa Wild, AHL): 10 gp, 0 g, 2 a, 2 p, 11 SOG, .2 pts/g.

Louis Belpedio has the distinct advantage of being far more NHL-ready than anyone before him on this list and likely the next few after him. That’s what puts him at seven, despite a limited ceiling.

Belpedio could be an NHL defenseman, but if he is, it will be as a bottom-pairing fifth or sixth defenseman, somebody who gets time on the second-unit power play but doesn’t get much trust in his own zone, unless paired with a more defensive-minded partner. Belpedio has offensive instincts that have gotten him this far, but needs to continue working on his defensive game and doesn’t have a terrific frame (standing just 5’11”).

Louis Belpedio has the distinct advantage of being far more NHL-ready than anyone before him on this list and likely the next few after him.

Belpedio was tied for 12th amongst defensemen in the NCAA in scoring (97th overall), 23rd in assists, and was 14th in points per game. He was a driving force behind Miami University of Ohio, scoring two game-winning goals and five power-play tallies this past season. He also did somewhat well in the AHL, adding two assists in ten games. That rough transition is what also drops Belpedio down the list.

He’ll need a longer-term stay in the AHL, and at 22, it’s hard to tell what he can be in the end. There are younger blueliners coming for the Minnesota Wild, and Belpedio could be passed up, despite being more ready for the NHL than those younger players.