.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is actually an NHL reporter for ESPN.New Shirt Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will need between 6 to 8 full weeks to recover coming from a shoulder trauma he suffered previously this month, the staff claimed Thursday.Hughes experienced a remaining shoulder injury during offseason instruction. After being actually examined due to the Devils' medical team, it was determined he would certainly not demand surgical treatment and also it can take more than 6 full weeks for him to recover.That timeline suggests Hughes would certainly overlook the Devils' 7 preseason video games and also their season-opening video games on Oct. 4 and also Oct. 5 against the Buffalo Grass Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could return will be actually the week of Oct. twenty, which suggests the Devils will have actually participated in eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for also a brief period happens after he utilized his rookie project to reinforce why he's taken into consideration one of the activity's brightest young celebrities. Hughes finished final season with six goals and 47 points while additionally being among 5 Devils to play in every 82 games.What Hughes completed as a novice led to him finishing 3rd in Calder Trophy ballot behind the ultimate champion, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, as well as Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and Faber were the only newbie defensemen who played all 82 activities final season. They were likewise matched for second amongst rookies in factors with Bedard leading the league's first-year players along with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually removed to come back, he's expected to become an essential part of the Devils' strategies to go back to the playoffs. Hughes, that was the fourth choice of the 2021 NHL Draught, spent 2 years establishing at the College of Michigan, which also created his bro Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks leader who is actually also the ruling Norris Trophy champion for the NHL's ideal defenseman.Hughes left behind Michigan after pair of seasons as well as signed his entry-level arrangement along with the Devils. It enabled him to join his brother and Evil ones alternating leader, Jack, for the group's playoff operate in the course of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils gained 52 activities in the course of the 2022-23 time as well as accelerated to the playoffs for the very first time in 4 periods. They opened up with a first-round triumph over the rivalrous Nyc Rangers in seven activities before dropping in the second round versus the Carolina Hurricanes.Last period saw the Devils problem to locate consistency and skip the playoffs. It brought about them parting methods along with head coach Lindy Ruff as well as working with acting instructor Travis Green before they then hired past Toronto Walnut Leafs train Sheldon Keefe in late May.