.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is actually an NHL media reporter for ESPN.New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will definitely need to have between 6 to eight weeks to recuperate from a shoulder trauma he suffered earlier this month, the group pointed out Thursday.Hughes endured a remaining shoulder accident throughout offseason training. After being actually reviewed due to the Devils' medical staff, it was calculated he would not need surgical procedure which it could take greater than six full weeks for him to recover.That timeline implies Hughes would overlook the Devils' seven preseason video games as well as their season-opening video games on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 versus the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he might return would certainly be actually the full week of Oct. 20, which indicates the Devils would certainly possess already played eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for also a short time period happens after he utilized his novice project to improve why he's looked at some of the game's brightest younger stars. Hughes finished final season along with six targets and also 47 aspects while likewise being just one of 5 Devils to play in each 82 games.What Hughes achieved as a rookie triggered him finishing 3rd in Calder Prize ballot behind the resulting victor, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, as well as Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes as well as Faber were the only rookie defensemen that played all 82 games last time. They were actually likewise matched for 2nd amongst novices in aspects with Bedard leading the organization's first-year gamers along with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually cleared to come back, he is actually expected to become an important aspect of the Devils' plannings to come back to the playoffs. Hughes, who was the fourth selection of the 2021 NHL Draft, invested two years cultivating at the Educational institution of Michigan, which additionally created his brother Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks captain that is actually also the ruling Norris Trophy victor for the NHL's greatest defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after pair of periods and also signed his entry-level arrangement with the Devils. It allowed him to join his sibling as well as Adversaries alternate captain, Port, for the crew's playoff operate during the course of the 2023 Stanley Mug playoffs.The Devils won 52 activities throughout the 2022-23 period and accelerated to the playoffs for the first time in four times. They opened along with a first-round success over the rivalrous New York Rangers in 7 activities prior to shedding in the second round against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last season found the Devils battle to locate consistency and miss the playoffs. It led to them parting methods with head trainer Lindy Ruff and also working with interim instructor Travis Green prior to they after that worked with past Toronto Walnut Leafs train Sheldon Keefe in old May.