.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 need in between six to 8 full weeks to recuperate coming from a shoulder accident he went through earlier this month, the crew pointed out Thursday.Hughes endured a left side shoulder injury throughout offseason instruction. After being evaluated by the Devils' medical staff, it was calculated he would certainly not need surgical operation which it could take much more than 6 full weeks for him to recover.That timeline means Hughes will miss the Devils' seven preseason activities and their season-opening activities on Oct. 4 as well as Oct. 5 against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he can come back would certainly be actually the full week of Oct. 20, which means the Devils would certainly possess currently played 8 regular-season games.Losing Hughes for also a quick period comes after he utilized his novice initiative to strengthen why he is actually looked at some of the game's brightest young superstars. Hughes finished last season along with 6 objectives and also 47 factors while also being just one of 5 Evil ones to play with all 82 games.What Hughes performed as a newbie led to him completing 3rd in Calder Trophy voting behind the resulting victor, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, and Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and Faber were the only novice defensemen who played all 82 activities final season. They were actually additionally tied for second one of novices in factors along with Bedard leading the organization's first-year gamers with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually gotten rid of to come back, he is actually expected to become a crucial aspect of the Devils' programs to go back to the playoffs. Hughes, who was actually the fourth choice of the 2021 NHL Draft, invested two years building at the University of Michigan, which likewise made his bro Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks captain that is actually also the reigning Norris Trophy winner for the NHL's finest defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after two seasons as well as signed his entry-level arrangement with the Devils. It enabled him to join his brother as well as Devils alternative leader, Jack, for the team's playoff operate during the course of the 2023 Stanley Mug playoffs.The Devils won 52 activities throughout the 2022-23 period and evolved to the playoffs for the very first time in 4 seasons. They opened up along with a first-round triumph over the rivalrous Nyc Rangers in seven games just before dropping in the 2nd around versus the Carolina Hurricanes.Last season found the Devils battle to discover uniformity and overlook the playoffs. It brought about all of them parting methods along with head instructor Lindy Ruff and also employing acting instructor Travis Veggie just before they then worked with previous Toronto Maple Leafs trainer Sheldon Keefe in late May.