.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN.New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will certainly need to have between six to eight full weeks to recuperate coming from a shoulder accident he endured previously this month, the team stated Thursday.Hughes endured a remaining shoulder accident during offseason instruction. After being evaluated by the Devils' clinical personnel, it was actually identified he will certainly not demand surgical procedure which it can take greater than 6 weeks for him to recover.That timeline means Hughes would miss the Devils' seven preseason video games and also their season-opening activities on Oct. 4 and also Oct. 5 versus the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could possibly return would certainly be the full week of Oct. 20, which indicates the Devils will possess currently participated in eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for even a short period happens after he used his newbie initiative to improve why he is actually considered among the game's brightest young superstars. Hughes ended up last time with six goals as well as 47 points while also being one of 5 Adversaries to play in every 82 games.What Hughes performed as a newbie brought about him ending up 3rd in Calder Trophy ballot responsible for the ultimate victor, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, as well as Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and also Faber were actually the only newbie defensemen who played all 82 video games last time. They were likewise matched for 2nd amongst newbies in aspects with Bedard leading the game's first-year gamers along with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually cleared to come back, he is actually assumed to become a crucial component of the Devils' strategies to come back to the playoffs. Hughes, that was the fourth pick of the 2021 NHL Draft, spent 2 years establishing at the College of Michigan, which likewise created his sibling Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks captain who is likewise the ruling Norris Trophy victor for the NHL's finest defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after 2 periods and also authorized his entry-level arrangement along with the Devils. It enabled him to join his bro and Devils alternative captain, Port, for the team's playoff operate throughout the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils succeeded 52 video games throughout the 2022-23 time and evolved to the playoffs for the first time in 4 periods. They opened with a first-round victory over the rivalrous Nyc Rangers in seven activities prior to losing in the second round against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last season found the Devils battle to discover consistency and miss the playoffs. It triggered them parting techniques along with crown train Lindy Ruff and also tapping the services of acting coach Travis Eco-friendly before they after that worked with past Toronto Walnut Leafs train Sheldon Keefe in late Might.