.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is actually an NHL reporter for ESPN.New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will need in between 6 to 8 full weeks to recover coming from a shoulder injury he went through previously this month, the team pointed out Thursday.Hughes endured a nigh side shoulder trauma during the course of offseason instruction. After being actually examined by the Devils' medical personnel, it was actually calculated he would certainly not need surgical operation and that it could take more than six weeks for him to recover.That timeline indicates Hughes would certainly skip the Devils' 7 preseason activities and their season-opening games on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could return would certainly be the week of Oct. 20, which indicates the Devils will have presently participated in eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for also a quick time period follows he used his novice initiative to enhance why he's looked at one of the activity's brightest young celebrities. Hughes ended up final time along with 6 targets and also 47 points while likewise being one of 5 Evil ones to play in each 82 games.What Hughes completed as a rookie led to him finishing third in Calder Prize ballot responsible for the possible champion, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, and also Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes as well as Faber were the only newbie defensemen that participated in all 82 video games last time. They were actually additionally matched for 2nd amongst newbies in factors with Bedard leading the league's first-year players along with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually cleared to come back, he is actually expected to become a crucial aspect of the Devils' plans to come back to the playoffs. Hughes, who was the 4th pick of the 2021 NHL Draught, spent two years cultivating at the University of Michigan, which also produced his brother Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks leader that is actually also the reigning Norris Prize winner for the NHL's absolute best defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after 2 periods and also signed his entry-level contract with the Devils. It allowed him to join his sibling as well as Adversaries alternative leader, Port, for the crew's playoff operate throughout the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils gained 52 video games during the course of the 2022-23 period and also accelerated to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. They opened up along with a first-round success over the competing New york city Rangers in seven activities before shedding in the second around versus the Carolina Hurricanes.Last season observed the Devils problem to find consistency as well as miss the playoffs. It led to all of them parting methods along with crown instructor Lindy Ruff and employing acting instructor Travis Eco-friendly prior to they then tapped the services of past Toronto Maple Leafs train Sheldon Keefe in old Might.