.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN.New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will definitely need between 6 to eight weeks to recoup coming from a shoulder injury he experienced previously this month, the staff claimed Thursday.Hughes went through a remaining shoulder trauma during the course of offseason training. After being actually analyzed by the Devils' medical team, it was actually identified he would not call for surgery and also it could take much more than 6 weeks for him to recover.That timeline implies Hughes would certainly miss out on the Devils' 7 preseason activities as well as their season-opening activities on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could return would be the week of Oct. twenty, which implies the Devils would possess actually played eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for even a brief time frame follows he utilized his novice campaign to bolster why he is actually taken into consideration some of the video game's brightest younger celebrities. Hughes finished final time with 6 targets and 47 points while also being among 5 Devils to play with all 82 games.What Hughes completed as a novice led to him completing third in Calder Prize ballot responsible for the resulting winner, Chicago Blackhawks facility Connor Bedard, as well as Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and Faber were actually the only rookie defensemen who played all 82 activities final season. They were actually also tied for second amongst novices in points along with Bedard leading the league's first-year gamers along with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually cleared to come back, he's expected to be a vital component of the Devils' programs to come back to the playoffs. Hughes, who was the 4th selection of the 2021 NHL Draught, invested pair of years cultivating at the College of Michigan, which likewise created his bro Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks leader that is also the ruling Norris Trophy victor for the NHL's finest defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after 2 periods and also authorized his entry-level arrangement with the Devils. It enabled him to join his bro as well as Devils alternating leader, Jack, for the crew's playoff operate during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils gained 52 activities during the 2022-23 season and advanced to the playoffs for the first time in 4 times. They opened up along with a first-round success over the competing New york city Rangers in seven activities just before shedding in the second sphere against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last season observed the Devils struggle to discover congruity and overlook the playoffs. It brought about all of them parting means along with crown coach Lindy Ruff and choosing interim coach Travis Green before they at that point hired past Toronto Walnut Leafs trainer Sheldon Keefe in old Might.