Guppies Say No to the Replacement Player Question 

Killingworth, CT - With the NHL Labor negotiations stalled and the days flying off the calendar faster than a Dave Armenia Slap Shot, the NHL is seriously thinking of starting the 2005-2006 season with replacement players. Many owners have said that they will use replacement players to start the season if there's no CBA by that time. The question for many in Killingworth is how will that effect the Guppies?

As usual the Gupps have started the season with great success going 4-0 in their first four games while out scoring their opponents 41-4! (Yeah, that's not a typo). However, as the Gupps keep rolling along the more they draw attention to themselves from scouts. Several teams have been represented at recent Guppy games and names like Murphy, Poulin, Zito, Linskey, Carroll, and yes even Legolie has spark interest as possible replacement players if they are needed. This has many fans in Killingworth nervous that some of the Guppies might be tapped to play in the Show.

"If they (NHL) come here and raid our roster the team will have trouble competing next season" - stated Killingworth Resident Tim Harris. "I mean take Linskey, I never liked him! Not to mention he's only faced about 15 shots so far this season, Hell I can do that and I'm 71!"

Jen Hinkley, of Haddam, CT expressed her concern that her favorite player, Craig Zito, might be a player called up. "I just bought a new Craig Zito jersey last week! My first jersey since my original Burzenski jersey I bought in 1996. Craig is a great player and a great guy,  When ever I see him in West Hartford he's always willing to talk to me. I mean about anything, Puppies, Boyfriends, ect.....he's a great Friend"

Meanwhile, at the Hartford law firm of Crayton, Crayton and Armenia ( The firm that represents most of the Guppies players) spokesman Steve Hunchmel read this statement: "Currently there has been no contact between us and the NHL about any of our clients" However, he continued " If contact is made, we would of course listen to any offers.....I mean I'd liked to actually make money of these dead beats one day!"

As for the players, they all seem to be content with staying in Killingworth. All except Tim Poulin who made this statement Monday morning while leaving the Guppies practice facility in Clinton, CT "If my phone rings, I'm out of here!! However, until then I'm focused on another tee-shirt and medal. Other players have expressed they don't wish to move up, Defenseman Mike Halle "I find it hard to make the games here and the 're once a week. I can't handle an NHL schedule!!"

So, for now at least the Guppies remain "America's Favorite NON-Professional Athletes" but with summer almost here and no CBA in sight.The question is will they remain in Killingworth?

- Jim Carr
Killingworth Krier