Welcome to Quick Hits Wednesday.

Things are starting to happen way too quickly to just put up one long blog, so you can start to expect more frequent smaller ones...

Meanwhile * CHECK OUT THE LATEST RUMORS AS UPDATED ON THE RUMOR CHART:

Dany Heatley rumors to LA persist, but the latest involves Heatley going to the Wild. Despite being an e2,this is a STRONGER possibility than anyone I think anyone realizes. The Minnesota Wild have traditionally been the team with the least amount of rumors surrounding them and they generally are the team that along with Dallas does the least through trades and UFAs. Both teams this year are going to be the EXACT opposite. Mark my words, Minnesota and Dallas are both MAJOR players over the next month.

The clearing of Heatley's cap space makes things very open for the Sens to address a huge need for a lights out big D-man. Cue to The Jay Bo rumors...However, my money is still on Western Canada.

The Flyers are definitely interested in the LA Kings 5th overall and word is the Dean Lombardi absolutely LOVES Scotty Hartnell. The question remains if the Flyers should or shouldn't do that and if Hartnell would waive his NTC. I don't see the Flyers letting him go, but the Flyers also are trying to clear space to sign Komisarek or Ohlund (outside shot at Jay Bo). People were amazed when Hartnell got the contract he did, but to be honest he has turned into an absolute bargain for all he brings.

By the way, along the same lines, it won't be long until people realize what a great job the Lightning did when they signed Ryan Malone. Character players that can get near 30 goals a year, like Hartnell and Malone, who also bring a real definite intangible to locker rooms are so very vital in the new NHL. And rare.

The Sabres are finally making some noise, and may have some interest in a "major move" of sorts that could find Danny Briere back in Buffalo. There are all sorts of false rumors circulating about Briere being turned down in various trades. Again, Briere has a NTC and has more value than people realize.

Jonas Gustavsson, the goalie Brian Burke compared to Jonas Hiller recently is essentially down to five teams I am told. I am also told to expect a Fabian Brunnstrom like press event here. Toronto, Colorado, Dallas, Philadelphia, San Jose.

(alright that was actually a pretty long post, but I got more stuff to write later on.)

more to come shortly....

With so much happening so fast in Montreal I HIGHLY recommend followi Eric Engels on twitter HERE