Ducks acquire former top prospect from Penguins in trade

The Anaheim Ducks continue to stockpile young talent as they build toward what they hope will be a competitive future. On Wednesday afternoon, the club made a relatively quiet move that could end up paying dividends down the road, bringing in a forward prospect whose collegiate numbers suggest there is real upside to be unlocked at the professional level.

The Ducks picked up the signing rights to forward Cruz Lucius from the Pittsburgh Penguins, sending future considerations back to Pittsburgh in return. It is a low-risk gamble for Anaheim, but one that comes with a significant caveat: Lucius declined to sign an entry-level deal with the Penguins earlier this year, and there is no guarantee the Ducks will have better luck getting him under contract.

A Winding Path Through College Hockey

Lucius, 22, has had an interesting journey since being selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft at No. 124 overall. The Lawrence, Kansas native began his college career at the University of Wisconsin, where he made an immediate impact. As a freshman with the Badgers, he posted 11 goals and 23 assists in his debut season, leading the team in helpers. He followed that up with another strong campaign as a sophomore, pacing Wisconsin in scoring with 13 goals and 34 total points in 36 games.

His rights changed hands near the end of that sophomore year when Carolina shipped him to Pittsburgh as part of the blockbuster Jake Guentzel trade. That deal also sent Ville Koivunen, Vasily Ponomarev, Michael Bunting, and a pair of draft picks to the Penguins. Shortly after joining the Pittsburgh organization on paper, Lucius transferred from Wisconsin to Arizona State University.

After a modest 10-point showing in 19 games during his junior year with the Sun Devils, Lucius truly broke out as a senior in 2025-26. He racked up 15 goals and 31 assists for 46 points in just 36 games, which was the second-highest single-season point total in Arizona State program history. His 31 assists ranked seventh among all NCAA skaters, and his 1.28 points-per-game average placed him ninth nationally. Those numbers earned him a spot on the NCHC First All-Star Team and the Sun Devils' MVP award.

Across four collegiate seasons split between Wisconsin and Arizona State, the 6-foot, 178-pound right wing compiled 41 goals and 124 points in 125 games. He also has international experience on his resume, having helped Team USA capture a silver medal at the 2022 U-18 World Championship and representing his country at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games during his time with the U.S. National Team Development Program.

What Comes Next for Lucius and the Ducks

The biggest question surrounding this deal is whether Lucius will actually put pen to paper with Anaheim. Penguins GM Kyle Dubas confirmed back in April that Lucius had turned down an entry-level contract offer from Pittsburgh, which opened up the possibility of him eventually becoming an unrestricted free agent. Under NHL rules, Lucius can become a free agent 30 days after submitting paperwork to the league's Central Registry confirming he is no longer an undergraduate student.

By acquiring his rights now, the Ducks are positioning themselves to negotiate directly with Lucius before that free agency window opens. If they can get him signed, he would likely land on an entry-level deal covering the next two seasons and could begin his professional career with the AHL's San Diego Gulls.

It is worth noting that Lucius comes from a hockey family. His older brother Chaz was a first-round selection by the Winnipeg Jets in 2021 but unfortunately retired from the sport in 2024 due to medical reasons. Cruz will be looking to carve out his own path in the professional ranks.

For Ducks GM Pat Verbeek, this is a secondary piece of business compared to the ongoing negotiations with restricted free agent winger Cutter Gauthier, which remain a top priority. Still, if Lucius can translate his impressive college production to the pro game, this could end up being the kind of shrewd, low-cost acquisition that helps a rebuilding team take its next step forward.