Cruz Lucius, a prospect the Penguins acquired in the 2024 trade with Carolina for Jake Guentzel, was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for future considerations (aka nothing). Lucius declined Pittsburgh’s offer of a contract this spring, signaling his exit from the organization that he was only a tertiary part of in the first place.
Most places listed Lucius as a free agent as of August
15th due to finishing four years of school. Very recent NCAA eligibility changes (known as a ‘5-for-5’ where there are no longer redshirts and players in all sports are eligible to play five years) means Lucius actually could return to Arizona State again in 2026-27, if he wanted for a fifth and final year of collegiate play after spending two years at Wisconsin followed by the last two at ASU. Thus, he apparently didn’t qualify for the murky guidelines that allow NHL teams to retain rights of collegiate players and a trade was necessary to facilitate his exit.
Overall, Lucius was ranked 24th in the 2025 Pensburgh Top 25 Under 25 list. Since then he had his best collegiate season last year at Arizona State, posting 15 goals and 31 assists in 36 games. Had Lucius opted to sign with the Pens, he probably would have been in the 15th-17th range on this year’s ranking. Instead the 22 year old will start his professional career outside of the Pens’ organization, presumably with the Ducks.
In the end, easy come, easy go in a situation like this. Interesting footnote that Lucius’ rights apparently were retained by Pittsburgh after the Aug 15 date with the ever-shifting rules and classification for collegiate athletes these days, but that’s about it. The player didn’t want to join the organization and there was little recourse for them besides sending him on his way.
