.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is an NHL media reporter for ESPN.New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes are going to need in between 6 to 8 weeks to recover from a shoulder accident he experienced earlier this month, the staff claimed Thursday.Hughes went through a left shoulder personal injury throughout offseason training. After being evaluated by the Devils' clinical workers, it was actually established he would not require surgical treatment and that it could possibly take greater than six full weeks for him to recover.That timeline means Hughes would certainly overlook the Devils' seven preseason games and their season-opening games on Oct. 4 as well as Oct. 5 versus the Buffalo Grass Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could possibly come back would certainly be actually the full week of Oct. 20, which indicates the Devils will have presently played eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for also a quick period follows he utilized his novice campaign to reinforce why he's considered among the game's brightest youthful stars. Hughes finished last time along with 6 targets and 47 aspects while likewise being one of 5 Devils to play in all 82 games.What Hughes completed as a rookie caused him completing 3rd in Calder Trophy ballot behind the resulting champion, Chicago Blackhawks facility Connor Bedard, and also Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes as well as Faber were the only rookie defensemen who played all 82 activities final time. They were actually also tied for 2nd among rookies in points along with Bedard leading the game's first-year gamers along with 61 points.Once Hughes is removed to return, he's anticipated to become an essential aspect of the Devils' plannings to go back to the playoffs. Hughes, that was the fourth pick of the 2021 NHL Draught, devoted two years creating at the College of Michigan, which additionally made his sibling Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks leader who is likewise the reigning Norris Prize winner for the NHL's greatest defenseman.Hughes left behind Michigan after two periods as well as authorized his entry-level contract with the Devils. It enabled him to join his brother and Evil ones alternative leader, Jack, for the crew's playoff operate in the course of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils gained 52 activities in the course of the 2022-23 season and evolved to the playoffs for the very first time in 4 periods. They opened along with a first-round triumph over the rival New York Rangers in seven activities prior to dropping in the second sphere versus the Carolina Hurricanes.Last season saw the Devils struggle to locate consistency and also skip the playoffs. It resulted in all of them parting methods with crown instructor Lindy Ruff and hiring acting trainer Travis Veggie prior to they then chose previous Toronto Walnut Leafs instructor Sheldon Keefe in late Might.