Blackhawks and Bruins Make a Prospect Swap

Maxime Sauve of the Providence Bruins (Photo Courtesy of Alan Sullivan/Providence Bruins)
Maxime Sauve of the Providence Bruins (Photo Courtesy of Alan Sullivan/Providence Bruins)

The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired minor league forward Maxime Sauve from the Boston Bruins in exchange for Rob Flick.

Sauve, 23, has spent parts of four seasons playing for the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League. He also played in the NHL last season, appearing in one game for the Boston Bruins, but did not register a point. So far this season, Sauve has appeared in 52 games scoring 10 goals and 13 assists with Providence. In 158 career games in the American Hockey League, Sauve has scored 44 goals and 89 total points in 158 games. He was selected by the Boston Bruins in round 2 (#47 overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

According to Hockey’s Future, Sauve is a fast skater that has great forechecking skills and good puck skills. He’s dealt with a lot of injuries in his young career which may have set him back in terms of development, but the talent is still there. He seems to be projected as a top nine forward in the NHL, and can fit on any line with his combination of speed, grit, defensive acumen, scoring touch, and hockey smarts. It sounds like he is close to becoming an NHL ready forward, but it won’t happen with the Blackhawks this season. At 6′ 0″ and 170 lbs, he’ll need to hit the weight room if he wants to challenge for a roster spot in Chicago anytime soon.

Flick, 22, was a checking line center for the Rockford IceHogs. His NHL potential is limited due to his lack of offense, but he still projects as a big, checking forward with decent puck skills, heavy fists, and smart defensive ability. So far this season, Flick  has scored three goals and two assists in 52 games for the IceHogs and has amassed 97 PIM. Throughout his AHL career he has complied nine goals, nine assists, and 188 PIM in 96 games.

FUN FACT — Maxime Sauve is the nephew of former Blackhawks goaltender Bob Sauve. Bob played for the Blackhawks from 1985-1987, appearing in 87 games before moving on and retiring with the New Jersey Devils after the 1988-1989 season.