.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is actually an NHL media reporter for ESPN.New Shirt Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will definitely need between six to 8 full weeks to recuperate coming from a shoulder injury he endured earlier this month, the crew claimed Thursday.Hughes endured a left side shoulder injury during the course of offseason training. After being evaluated by the Devils' clinical team, it was actually identified he will not call for surgical operation and that it can take much more than 6 weeks for him to recover.That timetable implies Hughes would certainly skip the Devils' seven preseason activities and their season-opening video games on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 versus the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he can return would be actually the week of Oct. twenty, which means the Devils would certainly have already participated in eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for even a short time period comes after he utilized his novice initiative to improve why he is actually considered some of the video game's brightest young stars. Hughes ended up final season along with 6 goals and also 47 points while likewise being one of 5 Adversaries to play in each 82 games.What Hughes performed as a novice triggered him finishing 3rd in Calder Prize ballot behind the resulting winner, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, as well as Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and also Faber were the only novice defensemen that played all 82 games last period. They were actually additionally tied for second amongst rookies in factors with Bedard leading the organization's first-year players with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually gotten rid of to come back, he is actually expected to be a vital aspect of the Devils' strategies to return to the playoffs. Hughes, who was actually the fourth choice of the 2021 NHL Draught, devoted pair of years building at the College of Michigan, which also generated his brother Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks leader that is actually also the ruling Norris Trophy champion for the NHL's absolute best defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after two seasons as well as signed his entry-level agreement along with the Devils. It permitted him to join his brother and also Devils alternate leader, Jack, for the group's playoff operate throughout the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils won 52 games throughout the 2022-23 season and advanced to the playoffs for the first time in four times. They opened up along with a first-round triumph over the competing New York Rangers in 7 games prior to shedding in the second around versus the Carolina Hurricanes.Last season found the Devils battle to find consistency as well as miss the playoffs. It led to them parting techniques along with head instructor Lindy Ruff and also hiring interim train Travis Veggie just before they after that worked with former Toronto Walnut Leafs train Sheldon Keefe in late May.