The hockey world was devastated this summer by the tragic loss of NHL All-Star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, who were both struck and killed by a drunk driver while riding their bikes the night before their sister’s wedding. The incident left the Gaudreau family and the entire hockey community mourning the sudden and heartbreaking deaths of two beloved figures.
Recently, NHL journalist Frank Seravalli, one of the sport’s most well-known insiders, found himself at the center of controversy for an insensitive remark related to Johnny Gaudreau’s death. In a piece where Seravalli made 32 predictions ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season—one for each team—he included a tone-deaf comment about the Columbus Blue Jackets and their future draft prospects, seemingly trivializing Gaudreau’s passing.
While making his prediction for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Gaudreau’s former team, Seravalli wrote, “With a little help from Gaudreau, the Columbus Blue Jackets will win the 2025 Draft Lottery. It’s the only consolation prize on a brutal year, but hope and help is on the way. Bananas that the Blue Jackets have never won the Lottery.”
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The line drew immediate backlash, as many felt it was both inappropriate and distasteful, given the recent tragedy. Seravalli later amended the prediction to read, “With a little help from Gaudreau in heaven,” but the damage had already been done.
His remark, which seemed to suggest that Gaudreau’s death could somehow contribute to the Blue Jackets’ fortunes, struck fans as not only insensitive but deeply disrespectful.
While it appears Seravalli was attempting to make a lighthearted reference to Gaudreau aiding his former team from beyond, many felt the execution was poor, making it seem as though Gaudreau’s death was a reason for the Blue Jackets’ struggles and potential draft success.
The line could easily be interpreted as suggesting that Columbus’ poor performance—and potential to earn the No. 1 draft pick—was somehow connected to Gaudreau no longer being alive.
Unsurprisingly, fans and members of the hockey community were outraged. Social media was flooded with criticism, with many calling Seravalli’s comment tasteless and unnecessary. People expressed their disappointment, noting that such a sensitive topic deserved more thought and care, especially coming from someone as respected as Seravalli.
To make matters worse, Seravalli holds a prominent role as the president of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA), which only heightened the scrutiny.
Fans and fellow journalists pointed out that, given his position, Seravalli should have been more aware of the weight his words carried and the impact they might have on the grieving Gaudreau family and the broader hockey community.
Despite the backlash, there has been some understanding that Seravalli likely did not intend to cause harm or disrespect. It’s probable that he thought he was offering a sentimental take, implying that Gaudreau would be looking out for his former team from above.
However, the poorly worded statement came across as callous and tone-deaf, and Seravalli is now facing the consequences of that misstep.
In the wake of the controversy, many are hoping for a public apology or acknowledgment of the hurt caused by the remark.
While Seravalli has not yet responded directly to the criticism, the incident has sparked a larger conversation about the responsibility of journalists and media figures when discussing sensitive subjects, particularly in a sport where personal tragedies are felt so deeply by fans and players alike.
As the 2024-25 NHL season approaches, the Columbus Blue Jackets and their fans will be mourning the loss of one of their brightest stars, while also hoping for a future that honors his legacy.
For Seravalli, this controversy serves as a reminder of the importance of sensitivity and care when covering the emotional realities behind the sport.
