.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is actually an NHL media reporter for ESPN.New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will certainly need in between 6 to 8 weeks to recover coming from a shoulder injury he suffered previously this month, the crew said Thursday.Hughes suffered a nigh side shoulder trauma during offseason instruction. After being actually examined due to the Devils' clinical personnel, it was actually determined he would not require surgical procedure which it could possibly take much more than six full weeks for him to recover.That timeline means Hughes would skip the Devils' seven preseason games as well as their season-opening games on Oct. 4 and also Oct. 5 against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could possibly come back will be the week of Oct. 20, which means the Devils will have already participated in eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for also a short duration happens after he utilized his newbie project to reinforce why he is actually thought about one of the video game's brightest youthful stars. Hughes finished last season along with six goals and also 47 points while also being among five Adversaries to play in all 82 games.What Hughes performed as a novice caused him ending up third in Calder Trophy ballot behind the resulting champion, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, as well as Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and also Faber were the only newbie defensemen who played all 82 games final season. They were actually additionally matched for second among novices in factors with Bedard leading the league's first-year players along with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually gotten rid of to come back, he's anticipated to become a crucial aspect of the Devils' plannings to come back to the playoffs. Hughes, that was the 4th selection of the 2021 NHL Draught, spent 2 years cultivating at the University of Michigan, which likewise produced his brother Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks captain that is actually likewise the reigning Norris Prize champion for the NHL's ideal defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after 2 periods as well as signed his entry-level deal with the Devils. It enabled him to join his brother and also Evil ones alternate leader, Jack, for the crew's playoff run during the course of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils won 52 activities in the course of the 2022-23 season and also accelerated to the playoffs for the first time in four periods. They opened with a first-round triumph over the rivalrous New york city Rangers in 7 games prior to dropping in the second around against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last time found the Devils problem to find congruity and overlook the playoffs. It led to all of them parting means with head instructor Lindy Ruff and also working with acting trainer Travis Eco-friendly prior to they at that point chose past Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe in late Might.