"No way he wrote this" "Poorly worded": NHL fans left divided by Frank Seravalli's comments on Johnny Gaudreau death impacting Blue Jackets

NHL fans are reacting to Frank Seravalli’s comments about Johnny Gaudreau in his 2024-25 season predictions. In his article on Daily Faceoff, Seravalli made 32 bold predictions for the season, including the Columbus Blue Jackets winning the 2025 draft lottery.

"With a little help from Gaudreau, the Columbus Blue Jackets will win the 2025 draft lottery," Seravalli wrote. "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."

This sparked a debate because Johnny Gaudreau tragically died in a bike accident on Aug. 29. Some fans found the remark insensitive, especially after such a recent loss.

“There’s no way he wrote this,” one fan said.

"Poorly worded but I know what he meant," another fan said.

"If you're going to try this hard to find something to be offended about in every little thing, you're certain to find it," one fan wrote.

Here are some more reactions from fans on X:

"He’s changed it, but it’s still absolutely ridiculous that he actually wrote that, probably proof read it, then decided to hit publish. He is a professional, he should know how it would sound and how people would react." a fan said.

"I kinda like the rewording, where he says Gaudreau will reach down from heaven and give Columbus the pick, which is what I think he always meant. I'm an atheist and a Sharks fan, and we could use the pick, but hey, it's kind of sweet." another fan said.

"He can rewrite it all he wants but he’s still indirectly saying “the blue jackets will lose this year because he died” which is just… no. Some things don’t need to be said. I can’t stand Seravalli" a fan wrote.

Seravalli changed his statement on Blue Jackets and Johnny Gaudreau

Johnny Gaudreau was an important player for the Blue Jackets last season as he led the team in points (60) and assists (48). His sudden death deeply affected the hockey community, making Seravalli’s comments inappropriate to some.

Seravalli then changed his statement:

"With a little help from Gaudreau in heaven, 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."

After the change, fans understood what Seravalli meant all along. He did not mean to dishonor either the Columbus Blue Jackets or Johnny Gaudreau.