.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is actually an NHL media reporter for ESPN.New Shirt Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will definitely require between 6 to 8 full weeks to recover from a shoulder injury he endured previously this month, the group said Thursday.Hughes suffered a left side shoulder personal injury during offseason training. After being evaluated by the Devils' health care team, it was actually determined he would certainly certainly not demand surgical operation which it could possibly take more than 6 weeks for him to recover.That timeline indicates Hughes will skip the Devils' seven preseason activities and their season-opening games on Oct. 4 as well as Oct. 5 against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he can return would certainly be the week of Oct. 20, which implies the Devils would have currently participated in 8 regular-season games.Losing Hughes for even a short time period happens after he utilized his rookie campaign to improve why he is actually thought about among the activity's brightest younger celebrities. Hughes finished final period along with 6 targets and 47 factors while also being one of 5 Adversaries to play in each 82 games.What Hughes performed as a rookie triggered him ending up 3rd in Calder Trophy ballot responsible for the resulting winner, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, and also Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and also Faber were actually the only novice defensemen that played all 82 games final period. They were also tied for second amongst novices in factors with Bedard leading the organization's first-year players along with 61 points.Once Hughes is cleared to return, he's expected to be a crucial portion of the Devils' plans to come back to the playoffs. Hughes, that was the fourth selection of the 2021 NHL Draught, invested 2 years establishing at the College of Michigan, which likewise created his sibling Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks leader that is likewise the reigning Norris Trophy victor for the NHL's greatest defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after pair of seasons and signed his entry-level deal with the Devils. It enabled him to join his brother and also Evil ones alternate captain, Jack, for the team's playoff operate during the course of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils gained 52 activities in the course of the 2022-23 period and also progressed to the playoffs for the very first time in four seasons. They opened along with a first-round victory over the rivalrous Nyc Rangers in 7 games before dropping in the 2nd sphere against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last time found the Devils problem to find consistency as well as overlook the playoffs. It triggered them parting methods with head train Lindy Ruff as well as working with acting trainer Travis Environment-friendly prior to they then chose former Toronto Maple Leafs instructor Sheldon Keefe in late May.