Anaheim Ducks acquire promising forward from Pittsburgh Penguins

The Ducks made a low-cost addition to their forward depth on Wednesday, acquiring right wing Cruz Lucius from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for future considerations.

It is not a flashy move on paper, but Anaheim fans who have followed the college hockey scene know exactly what they are getting.

Lucius, 22, just wrapped up a monster senior season at Arizona State, where he was named to the NCHC First All-Star Team after putting up 15 goals and 31 assists for 46 points in 36 games.

That assist total ranked seventh among every skater in NCAA hockey last season, and his per-game scoring rate landed him ninth nationally.

He was also named the Sun Devils' team MVP after leading the roster in goals, assists and points.

Lucius was originally a fourth round pick of Carolina back in 2022, taken 124th overall.

Before landing at Arizona State, he spent two seasons at Wisconsin, where he led the Badgers in scoring as a sophomore with 34 points in 36 games.

He has also worn Team USA colors on the international stage, helping the squad to a silver medal at the 2022 U-18 World Championship.

At 6 foot even and 178 pounds, Lucius profiles as a skilled, playmaking winger who should get every opportunity to push for a roster spot in development camp.

Anaheim continues to stockpile young talent through every avenue available.

Turning future considerations into a proven college scorer is exactly the kind of low risk swing that could pay off down the line for a team building toward contention.

Also read on House Of Hockey :
Rival team tells Canucks what concession it will take to get an Elias Pettersson trade moving