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Shane O'Brien | Defenseman

Team: Colorado Avalanche
Age / DOB:  (29) / 8/9/1983
Ht / Wt:  6'3' / 230
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Shane O'Brien played for just the seventh time this season on Tuesday.
O'Brien has spent the better part of the 2013 campaign in the press box. Even when the Avalanche lose blueliners to injuries, they seem to typically play youngsters over O'Brien. What makes the decision particularly puzzling is that O'Brien is in the first season of a three-year/$6 million contract. "Nobody likes sitting out, but it is what it is," O'Brien said. "They're giving some young guys a look and a chance, and that's part of the game. At the same time, I feel like I can still play. Whenever I get my chance, I've got to prove that again." O'Brien had a plus-one rating, four hits, and four blocked shots in 17:13 minutes in Colorado's 3-2 shootout loss Tuesday. Feb 27 - 8:44 AM
Source: Denver Post

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Date:

Shane O'Brien and Michael Sgarbossa were healthy scratches on Monday.

O'Brien sat out so Stefan Elliott could make his seasonal debut. The Avs were looking to improve their lackluster offensive output and it must have worked as they pumped six goals past the Nashville netminders Chris Mason and Pekka Rinne.
Source: Denver Post
Feb 19 - 7:16 AM

Shane O'Brien will finally get to play on Monday after seven of Colorado's first eight games in the press box.

O'Brien is getting an opportunity because Ryan Wilson (ankle) is sidelined. "Excited to be back. Never want to see anybody get hurt, especially a guy like 'Willie,' who has been playing so well, but that's part of the business and I get another opportunity here," O'Brien said. Due in part to the lockout, he has only played once in the last nine months, so rust might be a factor.
Source: Denver Post
Feb 4 - 5:26 PM

Shane O'Brien was a healthy scratch again for Colorado's 3-1 win over Edmonton Saturday.

After he was a mainstay in the Colorado lineup last season, O'Brien has only dressed once for the club this year. It has been speculated the team may be attempting to shop him around the league in an effort to get help up front, but if teammate Ryan Wilson's new injury keeps him on the shelf for an extended period of time O'Brien will be needed to take his place. If he finds a permanent place in the lineup he has a chance to deliver value in leagues that reward penalty minutes.
Source: Denver Post
Feb 3 - 10:23 AM

Shane O'Brien was a healthy scratch yet again on Thursday.

O'Brien has only played in one of Colorado's first seven games. He got regular time last season and inked a three-year/$6 million extension over the summer. All the same, he can't be counted on to have any fantasy value this season.
Source: Denver Post
Feb 1 - 9:51 AM

Shane O'Brien will spend his third straight game in the press box on Thursday.

O'Brien had 20 points and 105 penalty minutes in 76 games last season. The Avalanche have a defensive logjam, so O'Brien might continue to be marginalized unless there's an injury.
Source: Denver Post
Jan 24 - 9:34 AM

Shane O'Brien will be a healthy scratch for the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.

O'Brien's fantasy value was limited to begin with and the lack of playing time certainly doesn't help. It is strange, however, that he's not playing after the Avs signed him to a three-year extension in the offseason.
Jan 22 - 2:48 PM

Shane O'Brien will be a healthy scratch for the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

O'Brien inked a three-year extension with the Avalanche in June after playing in 76 games last season. With that in mind, it's surprising that he'll start the season in the press box. O'Brien's fantasy value was limited to begin with and fantasy owners are advised to look for alternatives wherever possible as he might not get regular playing time this season.
Source: Denver Post
Jan 19 - 1:50 PM

Shane O'Brien's three-year contract with the Avalanche is worth $6 million.

He would've been eligible for unrestricted free agency had Colorado not re-signed him. "Having Shane under contract further solidifies our blueline," said GM Greg Sherman. "He brings energy to our lineup and we are pleased to have signed him to a multi-year deal."
Source: Denver Post
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 08:40:00 AM

The Colorado Avalanche handed defenseman Shane O'Brien a three-year contract extension, according to Jesse Spector.

O'Brien has limited fantasy value, especially since he's removed from the days when he would register between 150-190 PIM. Last season he clocked in at a respectable 105 with 20 points, so he's not totally irrelevant, but won't tip the scales either.
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 01:58:00 PM

Shane O'Brien could be a fit to return to Nashville.

The Predators are said to be looking for more size on the blueline because they're giving the 5-foot-10 Ryan Ellis a full-time role, and the veteran offers that as he's 6-foot-3, 230 pounds. O'Brien played with the Predators during the 2010-11 campaign. The 28-year-old had 20 points this past season with Colorado and made $1.1 million.
Mon, Jun 25, 2012 07:21:00 PM

Shane O'Brien wants to re-sign with the Colorado Avalanche.

O'Brien is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. "We're the youngest team in the league, and we played some of the best hockey down the stretch in the whole NHL," O'Brien said. "I'd love to stay here, and hopefully it will work out. I love the boys here, so if it doesn't work out, I will be extremely disappointed." O'Brien has already played with five NHL squads in six seasons.
Source: Denver Post
Mon, Apr 9, 2012 10:06:00 AM

Shane O'Brien is one of six potential unrestricted free agents for the Colorado Avalanche this season.

Defenseman Matt Hunwick and forwards Milan Hejduk, David Jones, Jay McClement and Cody McLeod are the other Avs who can leave at the end of the season. O'Brien is hoping to re-sign with Colorado as he sees the team as up-and-coming. "We never quit. That's one thing you gotta say about this group of guys in here — we never quit all year, no matter our record, where we were in the standings," O'Brien said. "We always believed, and that shows character." Stay tuned.
Source: Denver Post
Sat, Apr 7, 2012 08:00:00 AM

Shane O’Brien has experienced a number of playoff pushes during his career. It’s such experience he lends to a young Colorado team at a critical juncture.

The 28-year-old defenseman has played 40 playoff games with three different teams and he sure like to make the postseason with a fourth franchise. O’Brien is lending an experienced hand to younger players as the Avs fight for a spot in the playoffs.
Source: NHL.com
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 04:44:00 PM

Clorado defenseman Shane O'Brien is highly regarded by his teammates on the Avs' organization.

He is a positive character guy who keeps the dressing room light and sticks up for his teammates on the ice. Colorado coach Joe Sacco had this to say about O'Brien's leadership, "From a coach's standpoint, that's more important, but if you talk about intangibles, you can talk about O.B.. He brings a lot of positive energy, both on the ice and off the ice. He's certainly a character." It looks as if O'Brien has finally found a home. His combination of points and penalty minutes makes him valuable from a fantasy perspective. R
Source: Denver Post
Sat, Jan 21, 2012 11:32:00 AM

Depth Charts

All Positions
PosRoleName
C1Matt Duchene
2Paul Stastny
3Ryan O'Reilly
4John Mitchell
5David Van der Gulik
6Brad Malone
7Mark Olver
8Tomas Vincour
LW1Gabriel Landeskog
2David Jones
3Jamie McGinn
4Cody McLeod
5Patrick Bordeleau
RW1P. A. Parenteau
2Milan Hejduk
3Chuck Kobasew
4Aaron Palushaj
5Steve Downie
D1Erik Johnson
2Jan Hejda
3Shane O'Brien
4Tyson Barrie
5Stefan Elliott
6Ryan Wilson
7Matt Hunwick
8Greg Zanon
G1Semyon Varlamov
2Jean-Sebastien Giguere
3Calvin Pickard