Blackhawks trade Rob Flick

[winos5]

to Boston for Maxim Sauve per Dreger on TSN.CA



another move to free up a contract slot?



This topic was promoted to an article.

 

[winos5]

Maxime Sauve



http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/max_sauve/

 

[MassHavoc]

Only thing worse than Russian is French....

 

[LordKOTL]

Looks decent in terms of depth, but I doubt a guy with 1 NHL game is the mythical 2nd line center we need. I haven't been tracking contracts so I don't know if he's under the 50-guy limit or not.

 

[bookjones]

Handzus put them at the 50-contract limit.

 

[PatrickShart]

Didnt trading Paradis yesterday put them at 49?

 

[bookjones]

Okay then Paradis put them back down to 49 because Gotovets has only been playing NCAA. But Suave is contracted so they'd be back at 50.

 

[winos5]

Looks like they just traded AHL players. Sauve plays for Providence (Hogs now). Got 7 shifts and 3+ minutes of ice time last year in 1 NHL game. Put up decent numbers in QJMHL his last couple years when not injured. Wonder if maybe this was done with the Hogs in mind to help with their playoff push.

 

[PatrickShart]

Flick not contracted?

 

[bookjones]

Yeah of course Flick is contracted---he's on his ELC.

 

[bookjones]

Yeah I can't find any info that says Gotovets is leaving Cornell or anything so he doesn't have to be signed so then they would still be at 49 because Flick for Suave breaks even.



I'll assume they need the spot to finally get Garret Ross signed and reported to Rockford.

 

[Ton]

Good trade in my eyes, the Hawks shed a potential 4th line player (if that) for a guy that has speed, skill, and grit and play in the top-9. I like it.



Sauve has had some injury issues in his career, so if he can get healthy this could be a steal.

 

[Ashor-redtribe]

IMO who cares...these guys will most likely never see the ice at the UC.

 

[Ton]

IMO who cares...these guys will most likely never see the ice at the UC.

Just like Versteeg never saw the ice at the UC... or Patrick Sharp. Where do you think NHL players come from?



Even if they don't, it gives the Blackhawks flexibility in their contract situation in the present moment, and gives room in the AHL for younger players to come up and get a chance in the pros.

 

[bookjones]

I care because at this juncture it's about moving actual contract totals as it's affecting both the Hawks and the Hogs right now and actual Hawks prospects who need to be signed now and more who have to be signed this summer.

 

[Ashor-redtribe]

Just like Versteeg never saw the ice at the UC...

BULLSHIT!

 

[PatrickShart]

Versteeg in the AHL w/Providence and the Hawks minors (in 4yrs) -

139gms - 46g - 82a - 128pts



Sauve (4yrs) -

158gms - 44g - 45a - 99pts



Bruins have been pretty deep at center...this kid may not be too bad. The futures report spoke highly of him



At 6'2 190lbs and good speed...



Talent Analysis



Sauve is a speedster with good hands, strong puck-handling skills and a surprising amount of grit and determination for this type of player. He sees the ice well and can set-up scoring chances for his linemates just as well as he can create them for himself through speed and clever one-on-one moves. Is an aggressive forechecker exploiting his speed advantage and getting to pucks. Willing to work the walls and play a cycle game. Gets back defensively and has a good sense of the game and his positioning. Health has been the biggest hurdle in his young career, having missed 60 games over the last two seasons.

 

[Ashor-redtribe]

Just like Versteeg never saw the ice at the UC... or Patrick Sharp. Where do you think NHL players come from?



Even if they don't, it gives the Blackhawks flexibility in their contract situation in the present moment, and gives room in the AHL for younger players to come up and get a chance in the pros.

We NEED PLAYERS THAT CAN BOOM BOOM BOOM SCORE YOU KNOW!

 

[Ton]

Versteeg in the AHL w/Providence and the Hawks minors (in 4yrs) -

139gms - 46g - 82a - 128pts



Sauve (4yrs) -

158gms - 44g - 45a - 99pts



Bruins have been pretty deep at center...this kid may not be too bad. The futures report spoke highly of him

Exactly... the kid has dealt with injuries too which has hurt his development. Giving up Flick (career AHLer, 4th line NHL depth at best) for that potential is entirely worth it.



He will have a hard time cracking the Blackhawks line-up in the next few years, but he is a LW/C which are two areas the Blackhawks can improve in. Bickell, Stalberg probably leaving... Sauve seems close to NHL-ready in another season or so. At the very least it gives the Blackhawks another chip in the trade market next year or a couple years down the line for a team that wants an NHL ready forward with some skill and speed. His game fits the Hawks system too, so he will help Rockford for now.

 

[PatrickShart]

He was one of the Bruin "black aces" as well during their cup run