.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is actually an NHL reporter for ESPN.New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will certainly require in between six to eight full weeks to bounce back coming from a shoulder injury he went through previously this month, the crew pointed out Thursday.Hughes went through a remaining shoulder injury throughout offseason training. After being assessed by the Devils' medical personnel, it was determined he would certainly not need surgery and that it could possibly take greater than six weeks for him to recover.That timeline implies Hughes would skip the Devils' 7 preseason activities and their season-opening games on Oct. 4 as well as Oct. 5 against the Buffalo Grass Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could possibly return would certainly be actually the full week of Oct. 20, which implies the Devils would possess actually participated in 8 regular-season games.Losing Hughes for even a quick time frame comes after he used his novice project to bolster why he is actually thought about among the video game's brightest youthful superstars. Hughes completed last season with 6 goals and 47 points while additionally being one of 5 Adversaries to play in each 82 games.What Hughes completed as a rookie led to him completing third in Calder Prize voting behind the possible champion, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, as well as Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and Faber were actually the only newbie defensemen that played all 82 games last time. They were additionally tied for 2nd among novices in factors with Bedard leading the game's first-year gamers with 61 points.Once Hughes is gotten rid of to return, he is actually anticipated to become a vital part of the Devils' strategies to come back to the playoffs. Hughes, who was the fourth selection of the 2021 NHL Draft, invested pair of years building at the University of Michigan, which likewise generated his bro Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks captain that is additionally the ruling Norris Prize champion for the NHL's best defenseman.Hughes left behind Michigan after two times and also signed his entry-level agreement along with the Devils. It permitted him to join his brother and also Devils alternative leader, Port, for the crew's playoff run in the course of the 2023 Stanley Mug playoffs.The Devils gained 52 video games during the 2022-23 season and accelerated to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. They opened along with a first-round success over the competing Nyc Rangers in seven games before shedding in the second around against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last period viewed the Devils problem to discover consistency as well as skip the playoffs. It brought about them parting methods with crown train Lindy Ruff and choosing acting trainer Travis Environment-friendly just before they then tapped the services of former Toronto Maple Leafs instructor Sheldon Keefe in late May.