[Wetcoaster]

Originally Posted by ScubaaaBob

Sauve was a top pick in the CHL and was looked to be like a very good D man... he hasn't hit it but he has a higher upside than SOB.

As HF notes in their assessment Sauve could top out at at #3/4 Dman if he realizes that potential but it is just as likely that he could turn out to be a #7 Dman.

In O'Brien's case he improved significantly in each year of junior and as noted he had a much better final season than Sauve. Sauve has pretty much flatlined since being drafted and he never has come close to matching the promise he showed when drafted into the Q. Here was ISS's take when he was drafted into the Q:

Yann Sauve, ISS’s top ranked player for the 2006 QMJHL Draft, has a tremendous combination of size and skill. He is an extremely gifted defenseman who possesses all of the skills to become a superstar in the “Q” and potentially the NHL. A complete defenseman with all the tools including a heavy shot and clearing the net effectively, he should anchor a team’s blue line effectively for years to come. Sauve is an exciting player to watch and a true blue chip prospect.

After the World U-17 championships in 2006, ISS said of Sauve:

Sauve was solid in all facets of the game. He has good size. With maturity will come strength. He will be an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on for the 2008 Draft.

However his ratings dropped as he did not live up to what was promised when he was drafted out of Midget and after a solid rookie year:

Expectations were high on the Rigaud, Quebec native entering the 2007-08 season and he seemed to shrink slightly under the spotlight. The anticipated progression from his rookie season did not appear.

After being touted as first round pick - even a top five pick his stock fell and the Canucks took him with the 41st over-all pick. As HF said:

Sauve’s stock fell slightly during the season due to concerns about his decision-making with the puck. Already possessing NHL size and the right mentality to play in the big show, Sauve nonetheless has quite a bit of developing to do by all accounts.
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Sauve is a bit of a project who is probably three to four years away from being a significant impact player at the professional level. Expect the Canucks to take it slow with Sauve and allow him to develop at an appropriate pace. He will never be an offensive contributor for the Canucks, but his stick skills must improve in order to get him to the big show.

Then you also have to consider that the Q is not known for turning out defensive Dmen as compared to the OHL and WHL.

If he even comes close to his earlier potential then the Canucks will have a solid pick but he remains a long term project and is not the blue chipper he was intially forecast to become.