Cruz Lucius had a really great college career and, at the end of it, decided he didn't want to sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Was this the right choice, or will he be stuck in their minor system until someone else takes a chance on him?
The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded forward prospect Cruz Lucius to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for future considerations, ending the organization’s time with the 22-year-old forward. The deal was announced Wednesday, with Anaheim acquiring Lucius’s NHL signing rights.
Lucius was originally selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Pittsburgh acquired him as part of the package in the 2024 trade that sent star forward Jake Guentzel to Carolina. However, Lucius never signed an entry-level contract with the Penguins.
In April, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas confirmed that Lucius had decided not to sign with Pittsburgh. That decision left the organization facing the possibility of losing his rights as he was in the NCAA at Arizona State, making Wednesday’s trade a way for the Penguins to move his rights rather than simply receiving nothing in return.
Lucius enters Anaheim’s organization following the best offensive season of his college career. Playing for Arizona State University in 2025–26, he recorded 15 goals and 31 assists for 46 points in 36 games. His performance earned him a spot on the NCHC First All-Star Team, while he also finished second in program history for points in a single season.
The Lawrence, Kansas, native spent four seasons in college hockey, playing his first two seasons at the University of Wisconsin before transferring to Arizona State. Across his NCAA career, he produced 124 points in 125 games.
For the Ducks, the move allows them to add a productive young forward to their system. Lucius has yet to play an NHL game, but his recent college production gives Anaheim an intriguing prospect to work with.
One thing that pops out in his game is his slick hands and passing ability; he’s able to hit teammates in tight windows, and when he needs to, he can be really creative on how he gets the puck to his teammates.
