.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is an NHL press reporter for ESPN.New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will certainly need between 6 to 8 weeks to recover coming from a shoulder accident he suffered earlier this month, the team claimed Thursday.Hughes suffered a left side shoulder trauma throughout offseason instruction. After being actually evaluated by the Devils' medical workers, it was actually calculated he would certainly not need surgery and also it might take more than 6 weeks for him to recover.That timeline implies Hughes would certainly overlook the Devils' seven preseason video games and their season-opening games on Oct. 4 and also Oct. 5 versus the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could return will be the week of Oct. twenty, which implies the Devils would certainly have currently participated in eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for also a short duration comes after he used his novice project to enhance why he is actually considered some of the activity's brightest younger superstars. Hughes finished last time along with 6 goals and also 47 factors while likewise being among 5 Evil ones to play in each 82 games.What Hughes completed as a newbie caused him completing 3rd in Calder Trophy ballot behind the eventual victor, Chicago Blackhawks facility Connor Bedard, as well as Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes as well as Faber were the only newbie defensemen who participated in all 82 games final season. They were likewise matched for second one of rookies in factors with Bedard leading the league's first-year gamers with 61 points.Once Hughes is removed to come back, he's anticipated to become an essential part of the Devils' strategies to go back to the playoffs. Hughes, who was actually the fourth selection of the 2021 NHL Draft, spent 2 years building at the University of Michigan, which additionally created his bro Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks captain that is actually additionally the reigning Norris Trophy victor for the NHL's finest defenseman.Hughes left behind Michigan after pair of seasons and authorized his entry-level deal with the Devils. It enabled him to join his brother and Devils alternative leader, Jack, for the crew's playoff run during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils gained 52 activities in the course of the 2022-23 time and also accelerated to the playoffs for the very first time in four times. They opened with a first-round success over the competing Nyc Rangers in 7 activities prior to losing in the second around versus the Carolina Hurricanes.Last season viewed the Devils problem to discover congruity and miss the playoffs. It caused all of them parting methods with head instructor Lindy Ruff as well as choosing interim instructor Travis Veggie prior to they at that point hired previous Toronto Walnut Leafs train Sheldon Keefe in old May.