Quoting: justaBoss
I don't follow the Sens that much, but from a simple logical deduction of Brown being a 23 year old prospect still not being able to break into one of the weakest rosters in league kinda tells me he's a bust. And it's kinda followed by Sens fans constantly trading him here.
Reilly has been comparably impressive this year, but according to the statistics this site here has shown me, Brännström's at least as good as him, and points wise more effective. I dunno whether they're used in different roles but the OTT fans seem to be pissed with how Smith is treating Brännström, more than actually agreeing with the guy of his decision.
I'm not that great of a judge on their play as I don't have all the facts, so I'm gonna go with what the majority in here have claimed, or by a simple logical deduction.
Sens fans trade him a lot here because the organization has turned their back on him and as a result, he seems like the odd one out. The local media clown, Bruce Garrioch, attempts to throw assassination attempts at the youth of the team every game to see what sticks. The current circus is Logan Brown trade rumours. That doesn't make him a bust; most of us are terrified to watch any inevitable trade because he will almost certainly do better on whichever team he ends up on. He's ready for the roster, has comparable if not superior numbers to Norris, and yet he hasn't been afforded the same opportunity or a leash as long. It has less to do with his growth as a player and more to do with the stunting of his development and their failure to give him his earned opportunity. It's a huge debate in the fanbase and a hotly contested argument that the GM intentionally avoids and has remained secretive on. Their most recent public comment is that they "have a plan" for Brown but they won't share what it is. DJ Smith says he wants for him to play a stronger 5v5 game (while we were playing Batherson and Norris, who began the season with 1 and 2 even strength points in 16 GP respectively) and hopes that he changes his style of play in order to make it onto the roster. The same was seen with Colin White to begin the season, who has now become more of a grinder as the season has gone on.
Not sure which stats you've seen. Mike Reilly's isolated impact from hockeyviz has him at +16% relative to the league on even strength offense, and 0% on even strength defense. Ottawa's offense is 2.79 xGF/60 with Reilly (+11%), 2.45 without (-3%). Their defense is 2.19 xGA/60 with (-13%), 2.73 without (+9%). Conversely, Brännström is -4% relative to the league on offense, and is -1% on defense. With sheltered minutes, Ottawa's offense is 1.87 xGF/60 with Erik (-26%), 2.63 without (+5%). Their defense is 2.46 xGA/60 with (-2%) and 2.59 without (+3). Brännström's 5v5 CF is 52%, his xGF is 43% and his ixG is 0.38 while looking at a 59% oZS%. Reilly's 5v5 CF is 53%, his xGF is 54% and ixG is 0.84 while having 47% oZS%. To help line it all up:
Reilly: +16% isolated xGF/60, -0% isolated xGA/60. +11% team xGF/60, -13% team xGA/60. 53% CF, 54% xGF, 0.84 ixG, 47% oZS%.
Bränn: -4% isolated xGF/60, -1% isolated xGA/60. -26% team xGF/60, -2% team xGA/60. 52% CF, 43% xGF, 0.38 ixG, 59% oZS%.
This indicates that Reilly is absolutely blowing Brännström out of the water offensively, while remaining similar defensively (despite Reilly playing much heavier defensive minutes). Brännström has not been at least as good as him. Sens fans are upset with Smith because there were rumours that DJ simply doesn't like Bränn, and because Sens fans want the entire roster to be under the age of 25. They labeled Reilly as public enemy number 1 from the very start and decided that he needed to go, not realizing that he's actually been pretty good. Additionally, it's less of a Reilly vs Brännström battle and more of a Coburn vs Brännström battle, as Coburn was the one who got games while Erik was scratched.