O'Brien was waived by the Avalanche on Tuesday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

O'Brien hasn't appeared in an NHL contest since 2017-18. The 26-year-old forward has picked up eight points in 12 AHL appearances this season.

The Capitals assigned O'Brien to AHL Hershey on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

O'Brien will head back to minors now that Nic Dowd (lower body) is good to go. The 25-year-old pivot didn't draw into a game during this NHL stint. He finished last season with 28 points and 118 PIM in 74 AHL games, and he'll continue playing a meaningful minor-league role.

The Capitals recalled O'Brien from AHL Hershey on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Evgeny Kuznetzov (undisclosed) and Nic Dowd (lower body) are both considered questionable for Friday's matchup with Buffalo, so O'Brien will be on hand in case they're both unavailable. The 25-year-old forward has notched three points in nine AHL appearances this season.

O'Brien was waived by the Capitals for the purpose of reassignment Monday.

EDGE Analysis

O'Brien scored a goal and dropped the gloves once through three preseason contests, but he didn't do enough to secure a roster spot. The 25-year-old will likely clear waivers and continue to be a physical threat for AHL Hershey, where he racked up 118 PIM in 74 games last year.

O'Brien didn't practice Saturday due to an upper-body injury, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

O'Brien suffered his injury during a fight with St. Louis' Jordan Nolan in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Blues. The 25-year-old forward is expected to practice Sunday, but won't be in the lineup for the Capitals' preseason finale. He'll be sent to AHL Hershey once he's cleared to play.

O'Brien signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with the Capitals on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old has spent most of his pro career with AHL Hershey, posting 15 goals, 28 points and 118 penalty minutes in 74 games during the 2018-19 season. The Nova Scotia native has an opportunity to earn a roster spot with the Capitals come training camp if there's significant roster turnover during the offseason, but he's a negligible fantasy asset until he can garner a consistent role in the NHL.

O'Brien was placed on waivers for the purposes of loan to AHL-Hershey on Saturday

EDGE Analysis

O'Brien had a shot to stick with the Caps after a decent training camp and an injury to Travis Boyd (lower body) opened the door for the Capitals to roster another natural centerman to start the season, but that role appears to have gone to Jayson Megna. The burly forward will report to AHL-Hershey should he pass through waivers unclaimed.

O'Brien is running out of time to establish himself as a full-time NHL player, JJ Reagan of NBC Sports Washington reports.

EDGE Analysis

Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2014, O'Brien faces stiff competition for an NHL roster spot and risks being labeled as a "career AHL'er" according to Reagan's speculation. The 24-year-old is an imposing physical presence, but offers little in terms of offensive upside and will have trouble besting the likes of Travis Boyd, Shane Gersich, or the newly-signed Sergei Shumakov for a spot on the opening night roster. The window for an NHL career (and fantasy relevance) is fast closing for the Nova Scotian.

O'Brien signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with the Capitals on Friday. The total value of the deal is $1.3 million.

EDGE Analysis

O'Brien avoids arbitration by penning this contract. The depth center has been limited to 17 NHL games since the start of the 2014-15 campaign, but the Capitals lost Jay Beagle to the Canucks through free agency which seemingly brings O'Brien one step closer to a notable role at the top level.

O'Brien has elected to go to arbitration Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

O'Brien netted a career-high 17 goals in 69 games with AHL Hershey this season but has only mustered five penalty minutes and a solitary shot in four NHL starts over the last two seasons. The 23-year-old forward is likely to remain in the minors for the balance of the 2018-19 season.