The NHL community was struck by tragedy this summer with the loss of All-Star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, killed by a drunk driver on the eve of their sister’s wedding. The pain of Gaudreau’s passing has left a deep scar on fans, friends, and the hockey world at large. Yet, NHL journalist Frank Seravalli is now under fire for what many feel is a grossly insensitive remark about Gaudreau in a recent preseason column.
In his “32 Predictions” piece, Seravalli attempted to lighten the mood by making one forecast for each team as the 2024-25 NHL season began. But when it came to the Columbus Blue Jackets, he suggested they might land the 2025 No. 1 draft pick, “with a little help from Gaudreau.” The line initially read that Gaudreau’s death might somehow help his former team hit the lottery jackpot—a statement so tone-deaf that fans instantly called him out.
After intense backlash, Seravalli edited the piece to say Gaudreau would help “from heaven.” However, fans argued this change did little to soften the impact of what many took as an offhanded comment about his death translating into a “consolation prize” for Columbus. As Twitter erupted, supporters made it clear they felt that Seravalli’s phrasing was not only hurtful but trivialized a deeply painful loss.
The outrage was only heightened by Seravalli’s role as president of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, a position that fans feel demands more sensitivity and awareness. Although his intent may have been to honor Gaudreau’s memory, the misstep reveals just how thin the line is between sentiment and insensitivity, especially in the wake of such profound loss.
