Liam O'Brien - NHL News & Rumors

Stuck in press box O'Brien was scratched for the 12th consecutive game in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Golden Knights.

Impact O'Brien's not the only regular forward in the press box for the Mammoth, as Brandon Tanev has been scratched regularly as well. Head coach Andre Tourigny clearly likes the 12 forwards he's been rolling with lately, leaving no room for O'Brien to get in. Prior to the Olympic break, O'Brien went 18 contests without a point, which didn't help his case for more playing time. He has three points, 26 shots on net, 43 PIM and 93 hits over 32 appearances this season.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

"Ain't wrong" "What a little king": NHL fans react after kid brutally roasts Evander Kane to Liam O'Brien A young hockey fan went viral this week after approaching Utah Mammoth forward Liam "Spicy Tuna" O'Brien to trash talk about Vancouver Canucks forward Evander Kane.

FEBRUARY 4 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Slumping on offense O'Brien's point drought up to 12 games after he was held off the scoresheet in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Kraken.

Impact He has four shots on net, 12 PIM and 35 hits during the slump, which also saw him scratched for four games from Jan. 5-11. O'Brien offers little offense even in the best of times, so he's not going to be a factor in many fantasy formats. For the season, he has three points, 23 shots on net, 29 PIM and 70 hits across 26 outings.

JANUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Checks in, gets goal O'Brien scored a goal on two shots and added six hits in Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Ducks.

Impact O'Brien was in the lineup over Brandon Tanev in this contest, and the former made the most of his rare chance to play. Through nine outings this season, O'Brien has two goals, 14 shots on net, 21 hits, 12 PIM and a minus-4 rating. He was a scratch for six games prior to Wednesday, and he's likely to max out as a rotation fourth-line option the Mammoth utilize whenever they need some toughness.

DECEMBER 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Peterka has 2 goals and 2 assists, Vejmelka gets first shutout of season as Mammoth beat Ducks 7-0

JJ Peterka had two goals and two asssists, Karel Vejmelka stopped 27 shots for his first shutout of the season, and the Utah Mammoth beat the Anaheim Ducks 7-0 to snap a four-game...

DECEMBER 4, 2025 • Associated Press

Minimal playing time in November O'Brien was scratched for the sixth straight game in Monday's 6-3 loss to the Sharks.

Impact O'Brien played just twice over 15 games in November, contributing five hits and five PIM. His trend of sitting in the press box looks set to continue in December, especially since the Mammoth called up top prospect Daniil But, who is likely to get a look in the lineup before O'Brien draws back in. On the year, O'Brien has one goal, 12 shots on net, 15 hits and 12 PIM over eight appearances, and he'll typically only play when the Mammoth need a boost in grit.

DECEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Schmaltz gets second career hat trick for first three goals of season as Mammoth beat Sharks 6-3

Nick Schmaltz came into the night scoreless over the Utah Mammoth’s first four games this season

OCTOBER 18, 2025 • Associated Press

Scores in season debut O'Brien scored a goal on two shots and blocked two shots in Friday's 6-3 win over the Sharks.

Impact This was O'Brien first goal in a Utah sweater -- he was limited to two assists over 28 games with the team in 2024-25. He missed the first four contests of 2025-26 due to an undisclosed injury, but head coach Andre Tourigny was impressed with O'Brien's performance and confirmed the 31-year-old would play again Sunday versus the Bruins, Brogan Houston of Deseret News Sports reports. O'Brien doesn't offer much for standard fantasy formats, but he's logged at least 100 hits and 50 PIM in four straight seasons, so he could have appeal in banger leagues if he plays regularly.

OCTOBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Set to return Friday O'Brien (undisclosed) will play in Friday's game against the Sharks, Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports.

Impact O'Brien began the regular season on non-roster injured reserve, but he'll be able to make his season debut during Friday's matchup, replacing Kailer Yamamoto in the lineup. O'Brien made 28 regular-season appearances for Utah last year, recording two assists, 100 hits, 50 PIM and 11 blocked shots while averaging 9:18 of ice time.

OCTOBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on non-roster IR O'Brien was designated for non-roster injured reserve with an undisclosed injury Monday.

Impact O'Brien was dealing with a lower-body injury during preseason, but it's not clear if this is related to the same issue or a different problem. The team didn't provide any specifics in its roster release, so fantasy players will have to take a wait-and-see approach. For now, it's safe to assume O'Brien won't be ready for Opening Night against the Avalanche on Thursday.

OCTOBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to rock O'Brien (lower body) is expected to be in the lineup for Tuesday's preseason game versus the Kings, per Brogan Houston of Deseret News Sports.

Impact Based on Tuesday's morning skate, O'Brien is poised to play on the fourth line and see time on the penalty kill, which will likely be his roles during the 2025-26 campaign. He compiled two assists, 34 shots on goal, 100 hits and 50 PIM across 28 appearances during the 2024-25 regular season.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Practicing in regular jersey O'Brien (lower body) is participating in practice in a regular jersey Thursday, according to Brogan Houston of Deseret News Sports.

Impact O'Brien was considered week-to-week just three days ago and is now considered day-to-day. The 31-year-old veteran had two assists, 50 PIM and 100 hits over 28 regular-season games in 2024-25.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Listed week-to-week O'Brien (lower body) is week-to-week, Brogan Houston of Desert News Sports reported Wednesday.

Impact O'Brien hasn't been skating at training camp, and it's unclear when he will resume practicing with his teammates. He produced two assists, 34 shots on goal, 100 hits and 50 PIM across 28 regular-season appearances in 2024-25. Once healthy, O'Brien will be in the mix for a bottom-six role.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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

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Peterka has 2 goals and 2 assists, Vejmelka gets first shutout of season as Mammoth beat Ducks 7-0

Schmaltz gets second career hat trick for first three goals of season as Mammoth beat Sharks 6-3

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