The Buffalo Sabres announced today that forward Andrew Oglevie re-signed with the club. He was given a two-way, two-year contract with an annual average value of $750 thousand. The 25-year-old forward signed with the Sabres as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Notre Dame in 2018.

Oglevie has battled through concussion issues during his time with the organization. He only played 28 games in the AHL for the Rochester Amerks during the 2018-19 season.

This past season, however, the California native played in 55 games. He had a nice bounce-back year and looked like he was trending towards a look at the NHL level. Unfortunately, the pause from COVID-19 took away that chance. Although you could make an argument that he should have been given a chance early in the season, I digress.

His 15 goals with the Amerks this season were tied for the team lead with JS Dea. Oglevie isn’t the biggest skater on the ice at 5’10 and 180 pounds. Having said that, you always notice him around the puck and the net in the offensive zone when he’s on the ice. He’s also a strong forechecker and has success chasing down pucks.

Andrew Oglevie comes up big with his 15th goal of the year to give the Amerks the late lead at Belleville. Scott Wilson follows up with the ENG. Rochester defeats the Senators 5-3. pic.twitter.com/TQaRv37CWO

— Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) March 7, 2020

In the games I tracked last season for the Amerks he was one of the top forwards on the team in primary shot contributions at 5 on 5. He played most of his season in an offensive role with Kevin Porter and CJ Smith.

He was a high event player in shot share on that line last season. Meaning when he was on the ice the team had a lot of shots for, but also gave up more than the team average in shots against.

Oglevie’s ceiling is a bottom-six forward in the NHL but currently looks like an AHL/NHL “tweener” until we see him actually play games at the highest level. He’ll likely compete for a roster spot in training camp whenever that gets started. His offensive upside and ability to finish around the net are intriguing. It also helps that he plays a position (right wing) that is currently a need for the Sabres.

He’ll likely have to beat out Tage Thompson for a roster spot to start the season in the NHL. Therefore it seems like a longshot he’ll begin the season with the Sabres. Oglevie could fill the role of that first call up player and look to lock down a permanent spot when given the opportunity.

Photo Credit: Micheline V/ Rochester Americans