Max Sauve
| Birthday: 1990-01-30 | Position: LW |
| Eligible for draft: 2008 | Shoots: Left |
| Drafted: 2008 | Height: 6-2 |
| Acquired: Trade with Boston, 2013 | Weight: 184 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- D
History
2006-07: In his first season with the Qubec Remparts (QMJHL), Max Sauve netted 10 goals and 16 points in 60 games. Sauve is the son of former NHL forward J-F Sauve.
2007-08: The center began the season with the Quebec Remparts (QMJHL), netting 12 goals and 32 points in 38 games. A trade brought him to Val d’Or Foreurs, finishing with 14 goals and 33 points through 32 games. He also competed with Canada’s National U18 squad, registering six assists, and a Gold Medal, in seven games. Sauve was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the second round, 47th overall, of the 2008 NHL Draft.
2008-09: His 76 points spread across 27 goals and 49 assists were good enough to lead his team in scoring by over 20 points. On a relatively bad team, Sauve's plus/minus ended at a -7, while many of his teammates found themselves in the negatives ranging from the late teens to late 20s. Sauvé continued to improve during his first full season with Val-d’Or after coming over from the Quebec Remparts last season. He led the team in goals (27), assists (49) and points (76) in 64 games as he set career junior highs in all three categories while finishing 16th in the league in scoring. Invited to participate in the Canadian National Junior Team’s development camp over the summer, the speedy center was again recognized for his talent in November by being selected to represent the QMJHL in the 2008 ADT Canada-Russia Challenge. Growth, both physical and developmental, helped the offensive side of his game. Defensive growth has not come as easily. Despite an improvement in the physical aspects of his game, he still needs to work in his positional play within his own zone.
2009-10: Sauve played 25 games for Val d'Or in the QMJHL. He scored 13 goals and added 22 assists for 35 points. Sauve turned pro after his junior season ended. He suited up for the Providence Bruins, scoring 2 goals in 6 games for Boston's AHL farm club.
2010-11: Sauve was one of the better forwards for a sub-par Providence squad and had a solid rookie season despite missing nearly two months with an early season wrist injury. In 61 games for the P-Bruins, Sauve scored 21 goals with 17 assists and was +6 with 36 PMs.
2011-12: Sauve showed flashes of his offensive ability but struggled to stay healthy in his second pro season. He made his NHL debut in a March game with the Bruins – but in his only NHL game against Pittsburgh, he saw 3:43 minutes of ice time before suffering a second period hip injury. Sauve played 39 games for AHL Providence; missing nearly two months after being hit by a blindside hit in a December game. He scored 11 goals with 15 assists and was minus-seven with 40 penalty minutes for Providence. Providence missed the AHL playoffs; finishing fourth in the Atlantic Division. Sauve was re-called by Boston for the NHL playoffs and practiced with the Bruins but did not appear in any games.
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.
Future
Sauve has a legitimate chance to crack the NHL roster this season. He had a strong camp last year and, had he been healthy all of last season, would have been a threat for 30 goals as an AHL rookie. If he does get sent back, expect him to be one of Providence’s best players and a frequent call-up to Boston. In terms of NHL comparables, he’s reminiscent of Marco Sturm, though he has more elusiveness in his one-on-one game.
Sauve was dealt by the Boston Bruins to the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2013 NHL trade deadline in a deal that sent Rob Flick to the Bruins.
