.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is an NHL press reporter for ESPN.New Shirt Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will definitely need to have in between six to eight full weeks to recoup from a shoulder trauma he went through previously this month, the staff stated Thursday.Hughes experienced a remaining shoulder personal injury during offseason instruction. After being actually reviewed by the Devils' health care staff, it was established he would not need surgical operation and that it can take more than six weeks for him to recover.That timeline suggests Hughes will skip the Devils' 7 preseason games and also their season-opening activities on Oct. 4 as well as Oct. 5 versus the Buffalo Grass Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he might come back will be actually the full week of Oct. twenty, which means the Devils would possess currently played 8 regular-season games.Losing Hughes for even a brief time period follows he used his rookie campaign to reinforce why he's looked at some of the activity's brightest youthful superstars. Hughes finished last season along with six goals and 47 points while additionally being among 5 Devils to play in every 82 games.What Hughes performed as a rookie caused him completing third in Calder Prize ballot behind the ultimate victor, Chicago Blackhawks facility Connor Bedard, and Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes as well as Faber were the only novice defensemen who played all 82 video games final season. They were likewise tied for 2nd amongst rookies in aspects with Bedard leading the game's first-year gamers with 61 points.Once Hughes is gotten rid of to come back, he is actually assumed to be a crucial component of the Devils' programs to return to the playoffs. Hughes, who was actually the fourth choice of the 2021 NHL Draft, spent pair of years creating at the University of Michigan, which likewise generated his bro Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks leader who is likewise the reigning Norris Prize victor for the NHL's ideal defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after pair of seasons as well as authorized his entry-level contract with the Devils. It permitted him to join his sibling and also Evil ones alternative leader, Port, for the crew's playoff operate during the course of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils won 52 video games during the course of the 2022-23 period as well as advanced to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. They opened with a first-round victory over the competing New york city Rangers in seven activities prior to losing in the second sphere against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last time found the Devils battle to locate consistency as well as skip the playoffs. It caused them parting ways along with head coach Lindy Ruff and tapping the services of interim instructor Travis Green just before they then hired past Toronto Walnut Leafs trainer Sheldon Keefe in late Might.