The Washington Capitals have re-signed minor league forward Liam O’Brien to a one-year, two way contract. The deal will pay O’Brien $700K in the NHL, and allows him to avoid restricted free agency this summer. Because of his age, O’Brien could potentially become a Group VI unrestricted free agent next year should he fail to play in another 63 NHL games this season.
O’Brien, 24, was signed as an undrafted free agent back in 2014 after a long junior career in the QMJHL. The physical forward eventually made his NHL debut that season, earning himself 23 penalty minutes in 13 games as a rookie. Those 13 contests would be more than he has seen in the NHL since, but O’Brien has now worked his way to more of an offensive threat in the minor leagues. For the Hershey Bears this season, he still ended up with his normal 100+ penalty minutes but also added 15 goals and 28 points.
Unless something changes in training camp, O’Brien will likely serve as a depth option for the Capitals again this season. His minimum salary might come in handy, but the Bears will likely see more of him.