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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.