A 46-point NCAA forward walking away from Sidney Crosby for free is exactly what the Maple Leafs need

Cruz Lucius said no thank you to the Pittsburgh Penguins and wants to forge his own path, which is exactly the fire and hunger the Maple Leafs need.

Cruz Lucius was part of the blockbuster deal involving Jake Guentzel and the Hurricanes and just put in a 46-point season in the NCAA. The Maple Leafs need a young bottom-six winger with heart, grit and passion. Lucius is following his own path after rejecting Kyle Dubas and the Penguins, and Toronto can sign him for basically nothing.

Lucius, 22, just had a very solid year with the Arizona State Sun Devils as he registered 46 points in 36 games which included 31 assists. The 6-foot winger has 124 points in 125 games with both Arizona and the University of Wisconsin. He's been as consistent as ever while also flashing some great creative instincts.

Cruz says no thanks to Sidney Crosby as the path to the NHL will be chosen by Cruz and him alone

Knowing he wants to play for a team he believes in, Lucius told the Pittsburgh Penguins he wasn't going to sign with them and test free agency. He is an FA on August 15th and with the Maple Leafs likely having a much clearer idea of the roster by then - he's a buy-low, high-reward player.

For what it's worth, it sounds like Dubas isn't exactly pleased with Lucius' decision however relented that at the end of the day, it is up to the players to make that final choice:

We felt we had a great opportunity for him, and the proof is in the pudding on the development side. Players are entitled to make their decision, and I don't think we're in a position here anymore where we have to beg people to come.

I think passing up a chance to get into the American League and developing here, it would have been a month already now, but obviously next few months, especially when your (college) team doesn't qualify for anything, it's a big miss.

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Pittsburgh really isn't in a spot where they are desperate to bring in their NCAA prospect and haven't indicated they are going to rebuild as they are likely going to try and contend so long as Sidney Crosby is suiting up.

But for Lucius to reject the opportunity to play with one of the greatest players ever sets him up to do whatever he wants, and if really wants to show he's hungry then he should entertain an offer from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Toronto's NCAA success should lead them right to Lucius' door with a contract in hand

Historically the team has had success with NCAA players and with the likely outcome that Gavin McKenna is taken first overall; that's another college star. Lucius would've had a front row seat to McKenna and could be more than happy to join the ranks and be part of the new era in Toronto.

Plus, being an America-born player why wouldn't he want to chomp at the bit to play with Auston Matthews and also familiarity with Matthew Knies - who played at the same time as him in the NCAA. The American connection is something very important to Matthews and with him so deeply invested in their hockey program, he's likely heard Lucius' name before.

With the need for a bottom-six youngster to add a spark to the lineup, Lucius would be a proven playmaker who could add a new dimension to an up-tempo Maple Leafs offence.

Signing him to an ELC would give them a controllable young forward who could be a great NHL depth piece and at worst, someone who can definitely help the Marlies.

A strong performance there would ensure he gets consideration for a call up with the eventual injury bug that always hits Toronto. He's clearly got the passion and hunger to do things his way, and he would add some fire to an often quiet Maple Leafs side.

There's a variety of free agents set to have their rights expire on August 15th, but Cruz Lucius may be the best of the bunch and give John Chayka the perfect young forward for basically free.

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