.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is an NHL media reporter for ESPN.New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will need between 6 to 8 weeks to recover coming from a shoulder personal injury he went through previously this month, the team said Thursday.Hughes went through a left shoulder accident throughout offseason instruction. After being examined due to the Devils' clinical workers, it was actually determined he would certainly certainly not call for surgery which it might take more than six weeks for him to recover.That timetable indicates Hughes will miss out on the Devils' seven preseason video games and their season-opening games on Oct. 4 as well as Oct. 5 versus the Buffalo Grass Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could return would certainly be actually the full week of Oct. 20, which suggests the Devils will have already played 8 regular-season games.Losing Hughes for even a brief time frame follows he used his rookie campaign to reinforce why he's thought about one of the activity's brightest young celebrities. Hughes completed last season with six targets and also 47 factors while likewise being just one of 5 Evil ones to play in every 82 games.What Hughes accomplished as a rookie triggered him finishing third in Calder Trophy voting behind the resulting champion, Chicago Blackhawks facility Connor Bedard, as well as Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and also Faber were the only novice defensemen who played all 82 activities last season. They were actually also tied for second one of novices in points along with Bedard leading the game's first-year players with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually cleared to come back, he is actually anticipated to become a crucial portion of the Devils' programs to go back to the playoffs. Hughes, who was actually the fourth pick of the 2021 NHL Draft, invested 2 years developing at the Educational institution of Michigan, which additionally made his brother Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks captain that is likewise the reigning Norris Trophy champion for the NHL's ideal defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after two seasons and also authorized his entry-level contract along with the Devils. It permitted him to join his sibling and Devils alternating leader, Jack, for the group's playoff operate during the course of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils won 52 video games in the course of the 2022-23 period and also progressed to the playoffs for the first time in four periods. They opened up with a first-round triumph over the competing The big apple Rangers in seven activities just before dropping in the second round versus the Carolina Hurricanes.Last time observed the Devils struggle to find consistency as well as overlook the playoffs. It led to all of them parting ways along with head train Lindy Ruff as well as choosing acting instructor Travis Veggie prior to they then worked with former Toronto Maple Leafs instructor Sheldon Keefe in old May.