.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is actually an NHL media reporter for ESPN.New Jacket Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will definitely need to have between six to 8 full weeks to recoup coming from a shoulder injury he experienced earlier this month, the staff pointed out Thursday.Hughes endured a nigh side shoulder personal injury in the course of offseason training. After being evaluated by the Devils' medical personnel, it was actually calculated he will certainly not demand surgery and also it can take much more than six weeks for him to recover.That timetable implies Hughes would certainly skip the Devils' 7 preseason games and also their season-opening video games on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he can return would be the full week of Oct. 20, which suggests the Devils will have presently participated in eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for also a quick time frame happens after he used his novice campaign to enhance why he is actually considered among the video game's brightest youthful stars. Hughes ended up final season with 6 targets and also 47 points while additionally being among five Adversaries to play in every 82 games.What Hughes completed as a novice brought about him completing 3rd in Calder Trophy ballot responsible for the ultimate victor, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, and also Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and also Faber were actually the only novice defensemen that played all 82 video games last period. They were actually also matched for second among newbies in aspects along with Bedard leading the league's first-year gamers with 61 points.Once Hughes is gotten rid of to return, he's assumed to become an essential component of the Devils' plannings to return to the playoffs. Hughes, who was actually the 4th selection of the 2021 NHL Draught, invested 2 years establishing at the Educational institution of Michigan, which also made his sibling Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks leader who is also the reigning Norris Trophy victor for the NHL's finest defenseman.Hughes left behind Michigan after two seasons as well as signed his entry-level arrangement with the Devils. It enabled him to join his sibling and also Evil ones alternative captain, Jack, for the team's playoff operate during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils succeeded 52 games during the 2022-23 season and also accelerated to the playoffs for the very first time in 4 times. They opened up along with a first-round victory over the competing The big apple Rangers in seven video games before dropping in the second around against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last period found the Devils problem to locate congruity and also skip the playoffs. It brought about them parting techniques with head trainer Lindy Ruff and working with acting trainer Travis Green before they then worked with past Toronto Maple Leafs trainer Sheldon Keefe in old May.