Lightning signs Shane O'Brien

The Lightning has signed defenseman Shane O’Brien to a two-year, $2 million contract that [ays $875,000 next season and $1.125 million in 2008-09.   

O’Brien, a 6-foot-2, 228-pound native of Port Hope, Ontario , made his NHL debut last season, playing in 80 games with the Lightning and the Anaheim Ducks, scoring two goals and adding 14 assists.   O’Brien, 23, also tallied two game-winning goals and one power-play goal.   He ranked seventh in the NHL among rookie defensemen with 16 points and tied for first with two game-winning goals.   His 176 penalty minutes also ranked him fourth in the NHL .

 

"Shane O'Brien has already demonstrated to us, in a very short period of time, that he is going to be a perfect fit in our system,” GM Jay Feaster said.   “He skates incredibly well, gets the puck to our forwards in transition, and he has great grit. He is everything we want in a hockey player and we are extremely pleased to have him signed for the next two years. We expect great things from Shane."

 

The defenseman was acquired from Anaheim on February 24, 2007.   After joining the Lightning, O’Brien played in 18 games and recorded two assists.   His time on ice increased following the trade from 14:03 with the Ducks to 18:07 with Tampa Bay .   O’Brien played in six Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Lightning in 2007 and averaged 17:11 minutes played per game.

 

He spent the 2005-06 season with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League and led all defensemen in playoff scoring with six goals and 22 points, while also leading the league in penalty minutes in the post-season with 81.   O’Brien played in 77 regular season games and scored eight goals while adding 33 assists, leading all Pirate defensemen in points and ranking third on the team in assists.   He ranked sixth in the AHL in penalty minutes and was tied for 14 th for points among defensemen.   

 

During three seasons in the AHL, he collected 15 goals and 76 points with 769 penalty minutes in 214 regular season games.   While playing in the AHL he increased his point production each year, going from 10 his rookie season to 41 in 205-06.   He also played in 43 Calder Cup Playoff contests and recorded seven goals and 28 points with 158 PIM.

 

O’Brien played the majority of his junior career with Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League before finishing the second half of the 2002-03 season with Toronto .   In three seasons in the OHL he played in 190 regular season games and scored 28 goals while recording 89 points.   He also appeared in 24 playoff games and scored four goals with 11 assists.

 

He was selected by Anaheim in the eighth round, 250 th overall, at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
 

Comments

[Erin]

I was looking forward to O'Brien's re-signing. In a draft that everyone keeps saying is very weak, I think he was well worth a first-round pick.

Can't wait to see how he does in a full season with a little security in his position.

Go get 'em, Shane!

GOOD JOB, HE'S WORTH IT

[Mike13]

$1mil a year. A great value. Well done Feaster. Thanks for the info Shannon and Tim A.

As for signing Hamrlik, an intriguing idea. Too expensive though. He made $3.5mil last year in Calgary. If he's not looking for a raise, Feaster MAY be able to work him into the payroll, but I just don't see it happening.

Especially after reading Damian's article about Denis not going anywhere.

[Nan]

I was hoping that JF would get Shane resigned. He has great potential and love the way he plays. Standing up to fight for his teammates is also someone we want. It remains to be seen if that first round draft pick loss was worth it but I am thinking that he will show us that it was!

[Jim]

I agree, a great signing for the team. I also agree about giving him the #7. They have got to get away from those high numbers! He'll be around for awhile. Now they need to sign the "Hammer" as a No.4 or 5 defenseman. He's available at a reasonable price and has matured since playing in Tampa last.

[Tim A]

Today Home Ice on XM Radio announced that Shane will be making $2.0 Mil for 2 years. Looks like they have found a replacement in the lineup for Cory Sarich, who probably won't be back. Personally, I believe this kid is worth every penny of a million a year plus. He's big, he's strong and he's mean. In several years he could give us an all-star presence at the blue line. He needs to start learning how to make good passes and knock forwards off the puck. He is perfectly capable of being the best defensive defenseman we have at this point. Coupled with Kuba or Boyle he will give the lightning advantages of having a tough guy and an accurate shot from the point on the ice at the same time. Good signing by Feaster... now we need to go out and get Top six forward and another top six defenseman.

[Shannon Long]

Obrien was given a two year deal, 2007-2008 he will receive $875,000. 2008-2009 he will receive 1.125 million. So a cap hit of 1 million.

[Joe]

Everybody likes Shane O'Brien: Torts likes the way he fits into the Lightning style of attack; Feaster likes his toughness; the fans like his potential; and, it seems to me that he will be a good asset to the team. Yet, it is at times like these, with the draft approaching this weekend and the Lightning having (most probably) no picks until the crapshoot of the third round, that one has to wonder if he was worth parting with a first round draft pick. The answer to that intriguing question will be readily apparent in three years. Maybe less.

[Bobby]

Gotta love OB!

[F.T.B.S.]

Good move.
Already, I feel much better about the blue line.

Give him #7 to remember the class and caliber D-man Luke Richardson was with younger wheels.

More, more competent help please.....

Go Bolts!

[Mike13]

I would be interested in knowing his salary. But in a word, this signing is FANTASTIC.