.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN.New Shirt Devils defenseman Luke Hughes are going to need to have between six to eight full weeks to recover from a shoulder injury he endured earlier this month, the staff claimed Thursday.Hughes suffered a left side shoulder accident during the course of offseason instruction. After being actually reviewed due to the Devils' medical personnel, it was calculated he would certainly certainly not demand surgical operation which it could take much more than six weeks for him to recover.That timeline implies Hughes would skip the Devils' seven preseason games and also their season-opening games on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he might return would certainly be the week of Oct. 20, which suggests the Devils would have actually played eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for also a brief duration happens after he used his rookie campaign to strengthen why he is actually considered one of the video game's brightest young stars. Hughes finished final season with six targets and also 47 aspects while also being among five Devils to play in each 82 games.What Hughes accomplished as a newbie led to him completing third in Calder Prize ballot behind the eventual winner, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, as well as Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and Faber were the only novice defensemen who participated in all 82 games final time. They were actually additionally tied for 2nd one of rookies in points with Bedard leading the organization's first-year gamers along with 61 points.Once Hughes is gotten rid of to return, he is actually anticipated to be an essential aspect of the Devils' plannings to return to the playoffs. Hughes, that was actually the fourth selection of the 2021 NHL Draught, devoted two years building at the University of Michigan, which also created his brother Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks leader who is actually likewise the reigning Norris Prize champion for the NHL's best defenseman.Hughes left behind Michigan after 2 periods as well as authorized his entry-level deal with the Devils. It allowed him to join his brother and Devils alternate captain, Port, for the team's playoff run during the course of the 2023 Stanley Mug playoffs.The Devils succeeded 52 games during the course of the 2022-23 time and advanced to the playoffs for the very first time in 4 periods. They opened up along with a first-round triumph over the competing Nyc Rangers in 7 video games before dropping in the 2nd round versus the Carolina Hurricanes.Last period saw the Devils battle to discover uniformity and also overlook the playoffs. It caused them parting techniques along with head coach Lindy Ruff as well as hiring acting trainer Travis Veggie before they then employed past Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe in late May.