Breaking news out of the ATL today: the Thrashers have signed Chris Chelios.

Chelios, who has been toiling this season for the AHL powerhouse Chicago Wolves, has been added to Atlanta's roster as a means of insurance should their blueline get crushed underneath the weight of Ron Hainsey's -14 rating.  By comparison, Chelios has racked up a +35 in 44 games with the Wolves, an impressive feat even once you discount that the Wolves forbid visiting teams from using sticks when visiting the Allstate Arena.  Cheaters.

At the age of 48, Chelios now joins a vaunted franchise nearly 21% as old as he is.  With a career that included tours of duty in Montreal, Chicago, and Detroit, it's nice to see him expand his requirements to playing for an Original 28 franchise.

In addition, this move means marketing for Atlanta, a team currently on the outside looking in come playoff time.  Don Waddell will no doubt want to rush to get Chelios jerseys on the shelves, but the question remains - what number will he wear?

We analyze this conundrum, after the jump.

Chelios has only worn two numbers in the pros over his entire career: 7 with the Blackhawks and 24 with the Wings and Habs.  And as you can imagine, both integers are currently occupied by new teammates.  Now typically, when a team brings a big name into the organization and his favorite number is already claimed, said big name drops some cash on the insignificant minion holding it hostage in order to obtain it.  The master of this is New York Giants punter Jeff Feagles, who twice parlayed his digits into a week's vacation to Florida (Thanks, Eli!) and an outdoor kitchen for his Arizona home (You're too kind, Plax!)

It's likely that Chelios won't want to break from tradition and go after either 24 or 7, so you have to believe two lucky Thrashers are in line for a home theater system or an Audi A5 or if they hate their lives, Braves season tickets.  Who are the candidates?

#7 - Bryan Little

Bio: Was a 1st-round selection for Atlanta in 2006.  Posted a 50 point season last year, including 30 goals.  Is 8th ALL-TIME on the Thrashers Goals Scored List, and is good for 16 minutes a night of hard nosed, checking line centering.

#24 - Johan Hedberg

Bio: Is 36 years old.  Terrible at ice hockey.

If the Thrashers have any say, my guess is they want to keep pushing #7 sweaters of a former first rounder, so my guess is Hedberg will be out of a number (when he should be out of a job.)

What do Swedes like to blow cash on?

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