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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

After leaving Friday's loss to Seattle due to the injury, O'Brien's status is now in question for the remainder of the campaign -- 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 in 2024-25. Nick Bjugstad will enter the lineup in his absence.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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 Lake Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

O'Brien was scratched for all 13 of Utah's games in November.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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 topped 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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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 upcoming season. He was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent Monday after completing his two-year, $1.55 million contract.