The Thrashers didn't practice today due to flight delays that kept them from getting home until close to 5am, but that didn't stop Colby Armstrong (known in Pittsburgh as Army) and Erik Christensen from taking to the ice for 20 minutes on their own. They got in last night (they flew during the Thrashers game in Montreal so they didn't see the loss) and were anxious to stretch their legs so they put on their new gear and put in a somewhat awkward on-ice workout. Armstrong commented afterwards that it was weird skating with just the two of them on the ice, but he was blown away with how nice the practice facility was. Apparently Pittsburgh's practice rink isn't anything special, and Atlanta's is one of the better in the league, especially for one its age.

After speaking to the media (look for them on the evening news tonight, including 11Alive) Armstrong and Christensen met a few of their teammates who were trickling in for off-ice workouts (despite the cancelled practice some guys have trouble staying away from the week). The new guys were excited to learn that their old teammate Joel Kwiatkowski was still around, and they already knew Chris Thorburn and Mark Recchi. Armstrong also knows Mark Popovic somehow, but I'll have to look in to the connection there (probably a Team Canada tie). After chatting with some of the players about game day habits, team dress codes, tickets, and other things that are good to know as an incoming player Armstrong and Christensen left with Mark Recchi who is quickly taking them under his wing. Armstrong and Christensen were both drafted by the Penguins and neither one was expecting to get dealt. They're leaving a lot of friends behind in Pittsburgh and having someone they know like Mark Recchi in the locker room is going to make the transition a whole lot easier for them. Not only do they know him well from Pittsburgh, but he has been traded enough times that he can give them some advice on how to deal with it.

Later in the afternoon Don Waddell addressed the media and took questions about the trade (more on that in an article going up later tonight). Waddell wasn't able to say exactly where Armstrong and Christensen will fit in the lineup, but expect the lines to have a different look. Here's what he did share:

• Colby Armstrong will play on the right wing on a yet-to-be determined line (my guess would be the third line in the spot cleared by Stuart being sent to Chicago today)
• Christensen can play any forward position but is a natural center. He'll be playing on the second line tomorrow night with undetermined linemates.
• Bryan Little thoroughly impressed Don Waddell last night and earned the right to play again against the Islanders.
• Waddell likes the way Kovy, White and Recchi have played together lately, but he may break that line up.

If you can dig through all of those hints and come up with a lineup you're one step ahead of me.

Finally (for now), if you were curious about what numbers the new players will be wearing Christensen will wear 9 and Armstrong is going with 19. Both players will play tomorrow night.