Liam O'Brien - NHL News & Rumors

Ready to rock O'Brien (lower body) will play against Nashville on Monday, per Belle Fraser of The Salt Lake Tribune.

Impact O'Brien will occupy a bottom-six role and provide some physicality in the lineup after missing the last 14 games. He has produced two assists, 31 shots on goal, 98 hits and 50 PIM in 27 appearances this season. O'Brien's return will bump Kailer Yamamoto to the press box as a healthy scratch.

APRIL 14 • ROTOWIRE

Might return during road trip O'Brien (lower body) could return to the lineup before the end of the regular season, Belle Fraser of The Salt Lake Tribune reports Tuesday.

Impact O'Brien will miss his 12th straight game against Seattle on Tuesday and likely won't play against Nashville on Thursday. However, he could be an option during Utah's regular-season-ending three-game road trip. O'Brien has compiled two assists, 31 shots on goal, 98 hits and 50 PIM through 27 appearances this season.

APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE

Facing long-term absence O'Brien (lower body) is expected to be sidelined for the next four weeks, Belle Fraser of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact After leaving Friday's loss to Seattle with the injury, O'Brien's status is now in question for the remainder of the year-- it sounds like the earliest he'd be able to return is the final week of the regular season. O'Brien had two assists in 27 games on the campaign. Nick Bjugstad will enter the lineup in his absence.

MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with lower-body injury O'Brien (lower body) won't be available for at least the remainder of Utah's road trip, Belle Fraser of The Salt Lake Tribune reports Saturday.

Impact O'Brien is back in Salt Lake City for further evaluation after getting hurt in Friday's 4-2 loss to Seattle. He has produced two assists, 31 shots on goal, 98 hits and 50 PIM in 27 appearances this season. Due to O'Brien's absence, Matias Maccelli or Nick Bjugstad will play against Vancouver on Sunday.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves game in third period O'Brien sustained an undisclosed injury in the third period of Friday's game versus the Kraken, and there was no update on his status after the contest, Belle Fraser of The Salt La...

Impact It's unclear what forced O'Brien to leave the contest. If he can't suit up in Vancouver on Sunday, Nick Bjugstad (upper body) was activated from injured reserve but scratched for Friday's contest and could be an option to enter the lineup.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

Assist, fight in loss O'Brien notched an assist, three hits and five PIM in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Devils.

Impact O'Brien got the scrap out of the way earn, dropping the mitts with Brenden Dillon in the first period. In the middle frame, O'Brien set up Utah's lone goal, scored by Mikhail Sergachev. Both of O'Brien's assists this season have come over his last five games, though he's also been scratched three times in that span. The 30-year-old enforcer has added 43 PIM, 82 hits and 27 shots on net over 22 appearances in a fourth-line role.

MARCH 2 • ROTOWIRE

Picks fight in overtime loss O'Brien logged five PIM in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Penguins.

Impact O'Brien fought Penguins call up and former Coyotes teammate Bokondji Imama in the first period. While offense continues to elude O'Brien, he's played in 10 of 13 games for Utah in January. That's largely come at the expense of Michael Carcone, though it was Matias Maccelli who was out of the lineup for Wednesday's game. O'Brien has no points, 29 PIM, 57 hits, 16 shots on net and a minus-1 rating through 14 appearances this season, so he's unlikely to be a factor in fantasy.

JANUARY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Lawson Crouse scores twice, Utah ends 5-game winless streak with 5-3 victory over Flames

Lawson Crouse scored twice and the Utah Hockey Club rallied to beat the Calgary Flames 5-3 on Thursday night to end a five-game winless streak

JANUARY 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Still out of lineup O'Brien has been scratched for 24 straight games dating back to Oct. 30.

Impact Utah has maintained fairly good health among its forward group, leaving little opportunity for O'Brien to play. The 30-year-old has 13 hits and five PIM over three appearances this season. Barring injuries to bottom-six forwards, it's unlikely O'Brien will get into the lineup. Should a more prominent forward get hurt, Utah might opt to call up more of a skilled player like Kailer Yamamoto or Josh Doan to fill in.

DECEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

No ice time in November O'Brien was scratched for all 13 of Utah's games in November.

Impact Barring injuries or the need for an enforcer in the lineup, it doesn't look like O'Brien will draw in often. He's the 13th forward for Utah currently, and he hasn't been able to unseat Michael Carcone or Kevin Stenlund for playing time this month. O'Brien offers virtually no scoring upside, and he has virtually no fantasy appeal if he can't get into game action.

DECEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Minimal playing time O'Brien was scratched Wednesday versus the Flames, the eighth time in 11 games he's sat out.

Impact O'Brien has averaged just 8:51 of ice time over his three appearances so far, adding five PIM, 13 hits and one shot on goal. The 30-year-old has mostly been an enforcer throughout his career -- he's top 100 PIM in three straight seasons and has back-to-back 200-hit campaigns. O'Brien and Michael Carcone are likely to compete for one spot in the lineup most of the time. Both were out Wednesday when Utah opted to dress seven defensemen following the trade for Olli Maatta and the demotion of Josh Doan.

OCTOBER 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Inks three-year deal O'Brien signed a three-year contract with Utah HC on Wednesday, per Chris Johnston of The Athletic.

Impact O'Brien had five goals, 14 points, 153 PIM and 228 hits in 75 contests with the Coyotes in 2023-24. The 29-year-old is likely to serve primarily on the fourth line for the duration of his new deal. He was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent Monday after completing his two-year, $1.55 million contract.

JUNE 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sets tone with early goal O'Brien scored a goal on three shots and added four hits in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Oilers.

Impact O'Brien opened the scoring at 2:18 of the first period in a game the Coyotes never fell behind in. The fourth-liner had three points over eight contests in April, finishing 2023-24 with career-best numbers across the board. He had 14 points, 72 shots on net, 153 PIM and 228 hits over 75 appearances. He is a pending unrestricted free agent, though O'Brien's peak is likely a high-energy fourth-liner.

APRIL 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Deposits goal Sunday O'Brien scored a goal on four shots and logged three hits in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Sharks.

Impact O'Brien has points in back-to-back contests after an 11-game drought. The 29-year-old has enjoyed some short bursts of offense this season, but he stays in the lineup for his physicality. He's at 13 points, 65 shots on net, 216 hits and 153 PIM through 70 appearances this season.

APRIL 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Adds assist, physicality in win O'Brien notched an assist, 10 hits and a plus-2 rating in Friday's 7-4 win over the Golden Knights.

Impact O'Brien snapped an 11-game point drought when he set up Michael Carcone's game-tying goal in the third period. During the scoring slump, O'Brien racked up 20 PIM and 43 hits as a physical fourth-liner. The 29-year-old forward is at a career-high 12 points with 213 hits, 153 PIM, 61 shots on net and a minus-1 rating over 69 appearances this season.

APRIL 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Assists in consecutive contests O'Brien notched an assist in Friday's 4-0 win over the Red Wings.

Impact O'Brien has a helper in three of the last four games. Friday was also just the third game all season where he failed to log a hit. The fourth-liner has 11 points, matching his career high, and he's added 133 PIM, 160 hits and 45 shots on net over 57 appearances.

MARCH 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Contributes helper in loss O'Brien recorded an assist, five hits and 10 PIM in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Wild.

Impact O'Brien has a helper in two of the last three games, but it's unwise to expect him to keep up that kind of production. The 29-year-old has 10 points through 56 outings this season, one shy of his career-high 11 from the same number of games in 2022-23. He continues to fill an enforcer role, adding 133 PIM and 160 hits while playing in the bottom six.

MARCH 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Collects helper in win O'Brien logged an assist and two hits in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Capitals.

Impact O'Brien snapped an eight-game point drought with the helper, though he also missed time with an upper-body injury in that span. The 29-year-old has been a fourth-line fixture when healthy. He's earned nine points, 121 PIM, 150 hits, 43 shots on net and an even plus-minus rating in that limited role.

MARCH 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returning Sunday O'Brien (upper body) will return to the Coyotes' lineup Sunday against Winnipeg, Patrick Brown of the Coyotes' official site reports.

Impact O'Brien missed Arizona's last six games after suffering an upper-body injury. The 29-year-old forward has three goals, eight points and 129 hits through 49 games this season. O'Brien will take over for Michael Carcone on the Coyotes' fourth line.

FEBRUARY 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on IR O'Brien (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Friday.

Impact O'Brien will miss Friday's game against the Hurricanes, but he'll be eligible to return as soon as Sunday against the Avalanche. Either way, the 29-year-old forward has notched just eight points through 49 contests this season, so fantasy managers outside of deep banger leagues -- O'Brien has 116 PIM and 126 hits this season -- shouldn't need to track his status.

FEBRUARY 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Deemed day-to-day O'Brien is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury and won't play Wednesday versus the Wild.

Impact O'Brien's collected only eight points through 49 contests this season, so most fantasy managers won't notice his absence. Adam Ruzicka will likely remain in the lineup until O'Brien is ready to return.

FEBRUARY 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Snaps drought with helper O'Brien notched an assist and four hits in Monday's 5-2 win over the Penguins.

Impact O'Brien ended his drought at 14 games with the primary helper on Nick Bjugstad's insurance marker in the third period. Steady offense is typically not a hallmark of O'Brien's play -- the 29-year-old instead relies of his physicality to stick in the lineup. He's at eight points, 108 hits, 105 PIM, 38 shots on net and a plus-5 rating through 45 appearances.

JANUARY 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet on offense O'Brien has gone 13 games without a point after he was held scoreless Thursday in a 2-1 loss to the Canucks.

Impact O'Brien has racked up 37 PIM, 38 hits and 12 shots on net in that span. The 29-year-old was productive around the start of November, but he's otherwise done little scoring while serving as an enforcer for the Coyotes. He's at seven points, 105 PIM, 103 hits, 37 shots on net and a plus-3 rating through 43 outings.

JANUARY 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in win O'Brien scored a goal on three shots in the Coyotes' 2-0 win over the Sabres on Saturday.

Impact O'Brien scored on a breakaway, beating Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to extend the Coyotes' lead to 2-0. This goal marks his third of the season and first point in eight games. O'Brien should continue to skate on the fourth line for the time being.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Snaps slump with helper O'Brien picked up an assist and seven PIM in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Avalanche.

Impact O'Brien set up a Travis Boyd goal in the second period and fought Josh Manson in the third. After a burst of offense around the start of November, O'Brien went quiet for 10 games before his helper Thursday. As an enforcer, it's not unusual for the 29-year-old to endure long scoreless stretches. He's managed six points, 43 hits, 64 PIM, 19 shots on goal and a plus-3 rating through 22 outings in a bottom-six role.

DECEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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Lawson Crouse scores twice, Utah ends 5-game winless streak with 5-3 victory over Flames