.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is actually an NHL press reporter for ESPN.New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will definitely need to have between 6 to 8 weeks to recuperate from a shoulder trauma he endured previously this month, the staff mentioned Thursday.Hughes went through a remaining shoulder injury during offseason training. After being actually assessed due to the Devils' health care workers, it was actually determined he would certainly certainly not demand surgical treatment and also it could possibly take greater than six full weeks for him to recover.That timeline means Hughes would certainly miss out on the Devils' 7 preseason activities and their season-opening video games on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 against the Buffalo Grass Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he can return would certainly be actually the week of Oct. 20, which indicates the Devils would certainly possess already participated in 8 regular-season games.Losing Hughes for also a brief period happens after he used his novice project to enhance why he's considered among the game's brightest younger stars. Hughes completed last time along with 6 objectives as well as 47 factors while also being just one of five Devils to play with all 82 games.What Hughes accomplished as a newbie brought about him finishing third in Calder Trophy voting responsible for the resulting champion, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, and also Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes as well as Faber were actually the only novice defensemen who played all 82 video games final period. They were actually likewise tied for 2nd one of rookies in aspects along with Bedard leading the game's first-year gamers along with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually gotten rid of to come back, he is actually expected to be a vital portion of the Devils' programs to return to the playoffs. Hughes, who was the fourth pick of the 2021 NHL Draught, spent 2 years building at the Educational institution of Michigan, which likewise produced his bro Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks captain who is likewise the ruling Norris Trophy winner for the NHL's finest defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after pair of times as well as authorized his entry-level deal along with the Devils. It allowed him to join his bro and Devils alternate captain, Jack, for the group's playoff run throughout the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils succeeded 52 activities during the 2022-23 period and also evolved to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. They opened up along with a first-round success over the rivalrous New york city Rangers in 7 games prior to losing in the 2nd around against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last time found the Devils struggle to locate consistency and skip the playoffs. It caused them parting means along with crown trainer Lindy Ruff and also hiring acting instructor Travis Environment-friendly just before they after that tapped the services of former Toronto Walnut Leafs trainer Sheldon Keefe in late Might.