The Pittsburgh Penguins have refuted reports of a fire sale in recent weeks. After trading Lars Eller to the Washington Capitals earlier in the season, it appeared as if the team would start tearing things down.

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has dismissed rumors suggesting the team is "looking for a fire sale" ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Addressing the speculation straightforwardly, Dubas ruled out such an idea and outlined the franchise's strategy for as long as the current core of veterans can produce and contend for titles.

A source close to the Penguins has informed @TheRGMedia that Kyle Dubas is looking for a fire sale. Big name veterans, not simply just pending free agents, are up on the trade block and the Penguins are also willing to retain to move out Erik Karlsson. More on this below: https://t.co/uxHpnheLs5

The Pittsburgh Penguins are expected to make some moves at the NHL Trade Deadline, but it won't be a fire sale.

The Penguins (44 points) are 18-20-8, ranking sixth in the Metropolitan Division and seventh in the Eastern Conference wild-card race. They trail the Columbus Blue Jackets, owners of the second wild-card berth, by four points in the standings.

With the looming break, we might see something of a “soft” trade deadline before the NHL shuts down on Feb. 8. The Penguins have only eight games before Feb. 9 and 15 games until the March 7 actual deadline.

Even though the Pittsburgh Penguins are still on the fringes of playoff contention it still seems to be a foregone conclusion on what they are going to do in advance of the March 7 NHL trade deadline.