.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 require between 6 to 8 full weeks to recoup from a shoulder injury he endured earlier this month, the crew mentioned Thursday.Hughes went through a nigh side shoulder trauma during the course of offseason instruction. After being examined by the Devils' medical personnel, it was actually calculated he would not call for surgery which it could possibly take greater than 6 full weeks for him to recover.That timetable indicates Hughes will miss out on the Devils' 7 preseason activities and their season-opening video games on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 versus the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could possibly come back would certainly be actually the week of Oct. 20, which means the Devils would certainly possess presently participated in eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for even a quick duration follows he utilized his newbie project to strengthen why he is actually looked at among the activity's brightest younger celebrities. Hughes completed final season with six targets as well as 47 points while additionally being one of five Adversaries to play in each 82 games.What Hughes performed as a novice caused him ending up 3rd in Calder Prize voting behind the eventual winner, Chicago Blackhawks facility Connor Bedard, and Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes as well as Faber were the only newbie defensemen who participated in all 82 activities final period. They were actually likewise tied for second among novices in factors with Bedard leading the organization's first-year gamers along with 61 points.Once Hughes is gotten rid of to return, he's anticipated to be a vital component of the Devils' programs to return to the playoffs. Hughes, that was the fourth selection of the 2021 NHL Draught, invested 2 years establishing at the College of Michigan, which additionally produced his brother Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks leader who is also the ruling Norris Trophy winner for the NHL's best defenseman.Hughes left behind Michigan after 2 times and authorized his entry-level arrangement along with the Devils. It enabled him to join his brother and Adversaries alternate leader, Port, for the crew's playoff run during the course of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils won 52 video games in the course of the 2022-23 period as well as accelerated to the playoffs for the very first time in 4 times. They opened up along with a first-round victory over the rivalrous New York Rangers in 7 video games before dropping in the 2nd around versus the Carolina Hurricanes.Last period observed the Devils battle to locate uniformity and also skip the playoffs. It resulted in all of them parting techniques along with head trainer Lindy Ruff and also working with interim train Travis Environment-friendly before they then tapped the services of past Toronto Walnut Leafs trainer Sheldon Keefe in old Might.