.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 certainly need between 6 to 8 weeks to recoup coming from a shoulder accident he experienced previously this month, the staff stated Thursday.Hughes experienced a left side shoulder accident during the course of offseason training. After being actually reviewed due to the Devils' clinical staff, it was determined he would not need surgical procedure which it can take more than 6 full weeks for him to recover.That timetable indicates Hughes will miss the Devils' seven preseason video games and their season-opening video games on Oct. 4 as well as Oct. 5 versus the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could possibly return would certainly be actually the week of Oct. 20, which means the Devils would certainly possess already played 8 regular-season games.Losing Hughes for also a brief duration happens after he used his newbie initiative to strengthen why he is actually thought about one of the game's brightest younger celebrities. Hughes completed final time with six targets and 47 factors while additionally being among five Devils to play in each 82 games.What Hughes performed as a novice caused him completing third in Calder Trophy ballot responsible for the possible winner, Chicago Blackhawks facility Connor Bedard, and also Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and Faber were actually the only newbie defensemen who played all 82 activities last time. They were additionally matched for second amongst newbies in factors with Bedard leading the game's first-year players along with 61 points.Once Hughes is gotten rid of to return, he is actually assumed to be a vital aspect of the Devils' plans to come back to the playoffs. Hughes, that was actually the fourth pick of the 2021 NHL Draft, devoted pair of years developing at the University of Michigan, which likewise produced his bro Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks captain that is actually also the ruling Norris Prize winner for the NHL's finest defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after 2 seasons and signed his entry-level arrangement along with the Devils. It enabled him to join his bro as well as Devils alternate leader, Port, for the group's playoff operate throughout the 2023 Stanley Mug playoffs.The Devils succeeded 52 activities during the 2022-23 time as well as accelerated to the playoffs for the first time in 4 periods. They opened with a first-round victory over the rivalrous New york city Rangers in seven video games before dropping in the second around versus the Carolina Hurricanes.Last season observed the Devils struggle to locate uniformity and also overlook the playoffs. It triggered them parting ways along with crown train Lindy Ruff and also hiring interim coach Travis Veggie before they after that hired former Toronto Maple Leafs train Sheldon Keefe in old May.