.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is an NHL press reporter for ESPN.New Jacket Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will certainly need in between six to eight weeks to recoup from a shoulder accident he endured earlier this month, the crew stated Thursday.Hughes experienced a left shoulder personal injury during offseason instruction. After being examined due to the Devils' health care personnel, it was actually established he would certainly not demand surgical operation which it might take more than 6 full weeks for him to recover.That timeline suggests Hughes would certainly skip the Devils' 7 preseason games and also 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 will be the week of Oct. 20, which implies the Devils would certainly possess currently participated in eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for also a short time frame happens after he utilized his rookie initiative to bolster why he is actually considered one of the activity's brightest younger superstars. Hughes finished final season with six goals as well as 47 factors while likewise being one of five Adversaries to play in each 82 games.What Hughes performed as a newbie caused him completing third in Calder Trophy voting responsible for the resulting champion, Chicago Blackhawks facility Connor Bedard, and also Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and Faber were the only novice defensemen who participated in all 82 games final time. They were actually additionally tied for 2nd among rookies in points along with Bedard leading the game's first-year gamers with 61 points.Once Hughes is gotten rid of to return, he is actually assumed to become a crucial portion of the Devils' strategies to go back to the playoffs. Hughes, who was the 4th selection of the 2021 NHL Draft, devoted pair of years cultivating at the University of Michigan, which additionally made his brother Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks captain who is actually also the reigning Norris Trophy victor for the NHL's absolute best defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after 2 seasons and signed his entry-level deal with the Devils. It allowed him to join his brother and also Devils alternate leader, Jack, for the staff's playoff operate throughout the 2023 Stanley Mug playoffs.The Devils gained 52 games during the course of the 2022-23 period as well as progressed to the playoffs for the very first time in 4 periods. They opened up along with a first-round success over the competing Nyc Rangers in 7 games prior to shedding in the 2nd round against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last season saw the Devils battle to find congruity as well as miss out on the playoffs. It led to them parting methods along with head trainer Lindy Ruff as well as working with acting trainer Travis Environment-friendly prior to they then employed past Toronto Maple Leafs train Sheldon Keefe in late May.