Sabres rumors leaving hope for trade but uncertainty about lack of moves

NHL free agency got off to a pretty strong start on Wednesday.

Not necessarily for the Buffalo Sabres, though.

The Sabres technically made a couple outside signings, but those were both for under $1 million. In essence, they have yet to make a single splash.

Are the waves rippling? Is something coming?

Buffalo fans sure hope so.

MORE: The Maple Leafs have pulled off the Sergei Bobrovsky signing

Have the Sabres signed anyone?

On Wednesday, they signed forward Conor Sheary and defenseman Dennis Gilbert (a Buffalo native) to one-year contracts.

They were both reported as $850,000 deals.

Sabres trade rumors

The big one continues to be Connor Hellebuyck.

Both legitimate reports and other speculation continue to link the Sabres to the Winnipeg Jets' star goalie.

Nothing has happened yet, but that'd be a massive trade.

There have also been some wonderings about whether Patrick Kane would come back home and play in Buffalo, but it's not clear whether that has any legs to it.

The Sabres should still have more moves coming, but they haven't happened yet.

More NHL news:

• Jack Eichel turned into Ben Simmons
• Frederik Andersen heading toward an unceremonious exit
• Cale Makar is about to become a lot more expensive
• Sidney Crosby trade plans did a 180 for the Penguins
• It's time to ask a serious Matthew Knies question