Flames place defenseman O'Brien on waivers

The Calgary Flames placed defenseman Shane O'Brien on waivers Monday with the intent of using their first compliance buyout on the remaining year of his contract.

O'Brien, 30, is due to make $2.2 million as part of a three-year, $6 million contract he signed with the Colorado Avalanche prior to the 2012-13 season. His cap hit for this season would be $2 million.

O'Brien had three assists and 58 penalty minutes in 45 games for the Flames last season. An eighth-round pick (No. 250) of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2003 NHL Draft, he has career totals of 13 goals, 91 points and 911 penalty minutes in 528 games with the Ducks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks, Nashville Predators, Avalanche and Flames.