.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is actually an NHL reporter for ESPN.New Jacket Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will certainly need to have between six to 8 weeks to recoup from a shoulder injury he endured earlier this month, the group claimed Thursday.Hughes went through a nigh side shoulder accident throughout offseason instruction. After being analyzed by the Devils' clinical team, it was calculated he will certainly not require surgical procedure and also it could take more than 6 full weeks for him to recover.That timeline implies Hughes will miss the Devils' 7 preseason games and their season-opening video games on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 versus the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could possibly come back would be actually the week of Oct. twenty, which means the Devils would possess currently participated in 8 regular-season games.Losing Hughes for also a brief duration comes after he used his novice campaign to strengthen why he is actually considered one of the activity's brightest young celebrities. Hughes ended up last time along with six targets and also 47 aspects while additionally being among five Devils to play in all 82 games.What Hughes performed as a novice caused him ending up third in Calder Prize voting behind the resulting victor, Chicago Blackhawks facility Connor Bedard, as well as Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and also Faber were actually the only rookie defensemen that played all 82 video games last season. They were likewise matched for second one of novices in factors along with Bedard leading the organization's first-year players along with 61 points.Once Hughes is removed to come back, he is actually anticipated to be a critical aspect of the Devils' plans to go back to the playoffs. Hughes, who was actually the fourth selection of the 2021 NHL Draught, invested pair of years creating at the Educational institution of Michigan, which additionally made his brother Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks leader that is likewise the reigning Norris Prize champion for the NHL's absolute best defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after 2 seasons and signed his entry-level deal along with the Devils. It enabled him to join his sibling as well as Devils alternating leader, Jack, for the crew's playoff run in the course of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils gained 52 games throughout the 2022-23 season as well as evolved to the playoffs for the first time in four periods. They opened along with a first-round triumph over the rivalrous The big apple Rangers in 7 activities just before shedding in the second sphere against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last season observed the Devils struggle to locate congruity as well as miss the playoffs. It led to them parting methods with crown train Lindy Ruff and also hiring interim coach Travis Veggie before they after that tapped the services of past Toronto Maple Leafs instructor Sheldon Keefe in late Might.