.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is actually an NHL reporter for ESPN.New Shirt Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will certainly need in between 6 to 8 weeks to recover from a shoulder accident he experienced earlier this month, the crew pointed out Thursday.Hughes experienced a left side shoulder injury throughout offseason instruction. After being actually evaluated due to the Devils' health care team, it was actually calculated he would not call for surgical treatment which it could take more than 6 weeks for him to recover.That timeline means Hughes would certainly skip the Devils' 7 preseason activities as well as their season-opening video games on Oct. 4 and also Oct. 5 versus the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he can return will be actually the week of Oct. twenty, which indicates the Devils would possess presently played eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for also a quick duration happens after he used his novice initiative to reinforce why he is actually taken into consideration one of the activity's brightest young celebrities. Hughes completed final time with 6 goals and also 47 points while additionally being among five Evil ones to play in every 82 games.What Hughes completed as a rookie brought about him completing third in Calder Prize ballot behind the possible champion, Chicago Blackhawks facility Connor Bedard, and also Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and also Faber were the only rookie defensemen who participated in all 82 activities final season. They were actually additionally matched for second among novices in aspects with Bedard leading the organization's first-year gamers along with 61 points.Once Hughes is removed to return, he's assumed to become a critical aspect of the Devils' programs to return to the playoffs. Hughes, that was actually the 4th selection of the 2021 NHL Draft, devoted two years developing at the College of Michigan, which additionally created his brother Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks captain who is actually also the reigning Norris Trophy champion for the NHL's greatest defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after pair of periods as well as signed his entry-level arrangement with the Devils. It allowed him to join his brother and Adversaries alternate captain, Jack, for the staff's playoff operate in the course of the 2023 Stanley Mug playoffs.The Devils gained 52 video games throughout the 2022-23 time as well as accelerated to the playoffs for the very first time in four times. They opened up with a first-round success over the competing Nyc Rangers in 7 video games just before shedding in the 2nd round versus the Carolina Hurricanes.Last season viewed the Devils problem to locate consistency and also miss the playoffs. It brought about all of them parting methods with head trainer Lindy Ruff and choosing interim coach Travis Veggie just before they after that tapped the services of past Toronto Maple Leafs instructor Sheldon Keefe in late May.