"Yeah, I'd love to replicate] that," Belpedio said. "Souce is a great guy and a great player so I'm super happy for him. He deserves every bit of that contract that he signed. I'd love to follow in his path, make a good impression, make the most of an opportunity and end up like he did."
It certainly appears like Belpedio will have that chance come camp.
Soucy's sure-fire status now as an every-night contributor leaves one open spot as the lineup presently sits. It just so happens that the person who wins it will likely be Soucy's defensive partner on a nightly basis.
If no other moves are made before camp, it's a competition that will include Belpedio, veterans Brad Hunt and potentially Greg Pateryn, assuming he's healthy, and 20-year-old Calen Addison, a second-round pick of the Penguins acquired in the Jason Zucker trade last season.
Belpedio's contract status provides him with an added leg up. He signed a one-year, two-way deal earlier this month, but would require waivers if he doesn't make the NHL team.
It's likely that another team would claim Belpedio if he were available. Minnesota remains a believer in the Skokie, Ill. native, so losing him for nothing on the waiver wire isn't an ideal proposition.
Especially when Belpedio sure seems like a guy ready to make a Soucy-like jump.
While he doesn't have Soucy's size, Belpedio has shown significant offensive upside in both college and at the AHL level. And even though he's only 5-foot-11, he's willing to play the game bigger than that.
The right-handed shooter has a potent left jab when he's dropped the mitts in the past, a skill he's not afraid to use if the situation warrants.
Last season in Iowa, Belpedio posted five goals and 20 points in 62 games, to go with 102 penalty minutes.
"I think those numbers make me look a lot tougher than I really am," Belpedio said with a laugh. "But if there's a time when it's needed or you need to stand up for your teammates, then I'm more than willing to do so.
"But I think I've gotten more comfortable and more confident with that, not that I've ever been afraid to fight."
Perhaps more importantly, he saw his plus/minus rise from minus-10 the previous season in Iowa, to plus-3. That stat, imperfect as it is, helps illustrate Belpedio's improvement on the defensive end of the rink.
"In terms of being more well-rounded, I think that came forward a little more," Belpedio said.
Currently in Chicago, Belpedio said he's eager to get back to Minnesota whenever a firm date for training camp is set. Right now, the hope is that could be a week or two before Christmas.
Whenever it happens, Belpedio is sure to take stock of what happened last year, and how that might chart his course moving forward.
"I was happy with the way I played last year at camp," Belpedio said. "I thought I gave myself a pretty good opportunity to make the team. Obviously, that didn't work out, but if I can come back and do the same thing, and show that I've improved on what I needed to improve on, come there and compete my hardest every day and show what I'm made of, that's all I can really do."
Related:
- [Taste of NHL playing time has Kahkonen craving more
- Greenway eager to show he can be a force for good
- With changes afoot, opportunity knocks for Sturm
- In Minnesota, Soucy has found 'a place to call home'
