O'Brien suffered an upper-body injury Friday and is considered week-to-week.

EDGE Analysis

O'Brien's absence probably won't be felt in most fantasy formats -- he has five points, 102 hits and 40 PIM in 28 contests. Zack Kassian should fill a similar role to O'Brien until the latter is able to return.

O'Brien will be a game-time decision Saturday versus Buffalo because of an undisclosed injury, according to Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports.

EDGE Analysis

O'Brien has a goal and five points in 28 contests this season. He logged 7:41 of ice time Friday against the Islanders. The 28-year-old had a tussle with Scott Mayfield early in the third period and didn't play after that. Jan Jenik was called up from the AHL on Saturday, so he'll probably draw into the lineup if O'Brien is unavailable.

O'Brien notched an assist, two shots on goal and five hits in Sunday's 5-4 overtime win over the Flyers.

EDGE Analysis

O'Brien has two assists through six games in December as he continues to occupy a bottom-six role for the Coyotes. The gritty 28-year-old has a goal, four assists, 94 hits, 36 PIM, 16 shots on net and a plus-2 rating in 26 outings overall. Outside of formats that heavily reward the rough stuff, O'Brien's a non-factor in fantasy.

O'Brien registered an assist, two shots on goal and three hits in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Canucks.

EDGE Analysis

O'Brien snapped a nine-game point drought when he set up Christian Fischer's first-period tally. The helper gave O'Brien a career-best four points in just 22 contests this season. The 28-year-old grinder has added 34 PIM, 75 hits, 14 shots on net and a plus-1 rating while seeing bottom-six minutes.

O'Brien scored a goal on two shots, dished an assist, logged three hits and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Sabres.

EDGE Analysis

O'Brien scored an insurance marker early in the third period and set up Clayton Keller's empty-netter. Prior to Tuesday, O'Brien had picked up just one assist this season. His three points match his career high, and he's added eight shots, 42 hits, 16 PIM and an even plus-minus rating through 12 appearances. O'Brien figures to be more grit than goal-dangerous throughout the year, though he may chip in some offense on occasion.

O'Brien notched an assist and three hits in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Blue Jackets.

EDGE Analysis

O'Brien has provided little else besides muscle early in 2022-23. The assist was his first point of the year, and he's added 23 hits and 14 PIM while logging bottom-six minutes. Physical play alone won't get him on the fantasy radar -- he's safe to leave on the waiver wire even if he enjoys a small burst of offense.

O'Brien logged three points, 139 hits, 106 PIM and 36 shots on net in a career-high 39 games this season.

EDGE Analysis

O'Brien, 27, is as tough as ever, but he's unlikely to ever be much more than a fourth-liner. The Coyotes signed him two a two-year extension in March, so he'll be around as a veteran presence for the rebuilding team. His ability as an enforcer should help protect the Coyotes' prospects, but O'Brien's unlikely to be of interest in any fantasy formats.

O'Brien (upper body) will be back in the lineup versus Dallas on Wednesday, Arizona Coyotes Insider Craig Morgan reports.

EDGE Analysis

O'Brien will rejoin the lineup following a 28-game stint on the sidelines due to his upper-body issue. In 37 outings this year, the 27-year-old center has managed just three points while averaging 9:25 of ice time, so fantasy players shouldn't be expecting him to suddenly discover his offensive game in the last two contests of the year.

O'Brien (upper body) may be ready to play against the Stars on Wednesday, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

After missing the team's last 27 games, O'Brien may only have to sit out one more game versus Minnesota on Tuesday. Prior to his long-term absence, the 27-year-old center has managed just three points in 37 games, so fantasy players shouldn't be banking on him providing much in the way of fantasy value moving forward.

O'Brien (upper body) has been placed on injured reserve, per the NHL media site.

EDGE Analysis

O'Brien has already missed three games due to his upper-body issue, so his placement on injured reserve won't impact his recovery timeline. Considering the 27-year-old center has generated a mere two goals and one assist in 37 games for the Yotes, few fantasy players figure to be impacted by his absence.