Ducks & Penguins Swing Summer Trade

With Leo Carlsson & Cutter Gauthier making all the headlines in Orange County, this is far from the biggest move the Anaheim Ducks will have made this offseason, but they have completed a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins for a noteworthy NCAA forward. 

🚨 Trade

To #FlyTogether Cruz Lucius 22 y/o F - NCAA

To #LetsGoPens Nothing

Similarly to the Sardaryan trade, Lucius has completed his NCAA eligibility and can become a draft-related UFA by notifying the league that he is no longer in college. His NHL rights will be held by…

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) August 19, 2026\

The Ducks receive 22-year-old forward Cruz Lucius coming out of his NCAA eligibility, and the Penguins receive... in the words of PuckPedia, "Nothing." Also known as "future considerations."

Anaheim will now hold Lucius's rights until 30 days after he files the required paperwork with Central Registry to notify the NHL that he is no longer in college.

Ducks acquire top NCAA performer Cruz Lucius from Penguins

Lucius had an excellent final season in college hockey, being named to the NCHC First All-Star Team, as well as being a Forward of the Year finalist. He recorded the 7th-highest assists total in the NCAA this season with 31, and added 15 goals for a total of 46 points in 36 contests at Arizona State University. That point total was also the second-most points in a season in program history. 

At 1.28 points per game, that was good for ninth in the nation, and his 46 points was 11th overall. 

He finished his four college years at Arizona State and, previously, at Wisconsin, with 124 points in 125 games.

The 6-foot, 178-pound right winger was originally selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 4th round of the 2022 NHL Draft (124th overall). He went to Pittsburgh in the multi-player package that sent Jake Guentzel to the 'Canes back in 2024. 

Lucius's older brother, Chaz, was a first-round pick of the Winnipeg Jets in 2021.