Flyers prospect Jay O’Brien drives to the net. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes May Exchange Groups of Players
Happy Jay O’Brien Day to those who celebrate! The Philadelphia Flyers have officially released their former prospect, as his rights expire on August 15. This means that O’Brien is now free to negotiate a contract and sign with any NHL team of his choosing. , he probably had to start. his journey to professional hockey in the AHL or ECHL.
O’Brien was originally drafted 19th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, adding to a long list of draft busts selected by former GM Ron Hextall. The 2018 draft wasn’t particularly deep, but there were plenty of players who produced, albeit in limited roles. O’Brien may not do that.
The 23-year-old has struggled with a ton of injuries and his performance since being drafted, failing to have a season averaging more than a point-per-game. The only time he did that was in the 2020-21 season, scoring 16 points in an injury-plagued 16-game stretch. O’Brien never developed at a rate worthy of NHL success, let alone one that justified his draft status. To date, O’Brien has only 28 goals in 104 NCAA games with Providence College and Boston University.
O’Brien’s selection in 2018 marks the third consecutive year the Flyers have drafted a center in the first round. The previous two were Nolan Patrick, of course, and German Rubtsov. Rubtsov only played four games for the team, Patrick’s career seems to be over now, and O’Brien may never make the NHL. At this point, it’s not hard to see why the Flyers are in the position they are in. trying to build Philly.
O’Brien is the only player in the Reserve list of flyers whose rights expire in 2023. 2019 seventh-round pick Bryce Brodzinski and 2015 fourth-round pick Mikhail Vorobyov will both see their rights expire in 2024.