.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is an NHL media reporter for ESPN.New Shirt Devils defenseman Luke Hughes are going to require between 6 to eight weeks to recover from a shoulder injury he endured previously this month, the staff pointed out Thursday.Hughes suffered a left side shoulder injury during the course of offseason training. After being analyzed by the Devils' medical staff, it was actually determined he would certainly not call for surgical procedure and that it can take much more than six full weeks for him to recover.That timetable implies Hughes would certainly overlook the Devils' 7 preseason activities and also their season-opening activities on Oct. 4 as well as Oct. 5 versus the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he might come back would be the week of Oct. 20, which means the Devils would certainly possess already participated in eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for even a brief time frame follows he used his novice initiative to enhance why he is actually considered one of the game's brightest young stars. Hughes completed last period along with six goals and 47 factors while additionally being one of five Evil ones to play in all 82 games.What Hughes completed as a novice triggered him finishing third in Calder Prize ballot behind the possible victor, Chicago Blackhawks facility Connor Bedard, as well as Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and also Faber were the only newbie defensemen who participated in all 82 games final season. They were actually likewise matched for 2nd amongst novices in points along with Bedard leading the organization's first-year players with 61 points.Once Hughes is gotten rid of to return, he's assumed to become an important aspect of the Devils' plannings to come back to the playoffs. Hughes, who was actually the fourth pick of the 2021 NHL Draft, spent 2 years developing at the Educational institution of Michigan, which likewise generated his brother Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks leader who is actually likewise the ruling Norris Trophy champion for the NHL's ideal defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after two seasons and authorized his entry-level contract along with the Devils. It allowed him to join his sibling and Devils alternating leader, Port, for the group's playoff run during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils won 52 games throughout the 2022-23 season as well as progressed to the playoffs for the first time in 4 seasons. They opened up along with a first-round victory over the competing The big apple Rangers in 7 activities prior to shedding in the second sphere against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last time viewed the Devils struggle to discover uniformity and overlook the playoffs. It caused all of them parting methods with head coach Lindy Ruff and also hiring acting train Travis Eco-friendly prior to they at that point chose past Toronto Maple Leafs train Sheldon Keefe in late May.