"Diplomacy is a Strength of the Detroit Red Wings" A now vanished listing on 'Facebook Marketplace' (a surprisingly useful website allowing users to buy and sell generally used goods) offered "the ultimate bragging piece for the Detroit Red Wings fan:" the iconic "Al the Octopus" statue lowered to the ice before home playoff games at Joe Louis Arena, complete with the autograph of longtime Zamboni driver Al Sobotka on each piece. The listed price was $30,000, a relative pittance for the prize on offer. I was taken aback by seeing word of the listing for two reasons. First, it seemed utterly bizarre that such an item would appear on sale by some random dude on Facebook Marketplace (No offense, dude, if you happen to be reading this). Second, at perhaps for this I was foolish, I had always believed that Al the Octopus "statue," which I had seen only on television, to have been inflatable, rather than a statue made of different collapsable parts. Apr 17, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Al the Octopus is lowered to the ice during pregame ceremonies prior to game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Detroit Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning at Joe Louis Arena [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA3OTE4NTM5MjEyODU4NDA1/usatsi_9256791.jpg] Apr 17, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Al the Octopus is lowered to the ice during pregame ceremonies prior to game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Detroit Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning at Joe Louis Arena That the listing is no longer raises some natural questions: Did the seller rethink the decision to part with such a trophy piece? Did a buyer meet the handsome asking price? As of this writing, THN Detroit cannot confirm. However, should you have any insight into the matter, don't hesitate to reach out. ALSO FROM THN DETROIT Red Wings Must Find Balance Between Playing Rookies and Playing for Postseason [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/red-wings-must-find-balance-between-playing-rookies-and-playing-for-postseason-] Getting to Know Red Wings First Round Pick Michael Brandsegg-Nygård [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/game-day/getting-to-know-red-wings-first-round-pick-michael-brandsegg-nyg%C3%A5rd] Five Must Watch Games on the Red Wings' 2024-25 Schedule [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/five-must-watch-games-on-the-red-wings-2024-25-schedule] Why is Sprong Still Unsigned, and Where Could He Fit In? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/players/why-is-sprong-still-unsigned-and-where-could-he-fit-in] Report: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard to Attend Red Wings' Training Camp, Could Play in North America Next Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/report-michael-brandsegg-nygard-to-attend-red-wings-training-camp-could-play-in-north-america-next-season] Will Larkin's Cap Hit Provide an Upper Limit for Raymond and Seider? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/players/will-larkins-cap-hit-provide-an-upper-limit-for-raymond-and-seider] Red Wings Power Play Sees Big Offseason Changes, Aiming for Lofty Goal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/red-wings-power-play-sees-big-offseason-changes-aiming-for-lofty-top-5-goals]
