.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is actually an NHL press reporter for ESPN.New Jacket Devils defenseman Luke Hughes are going to need in between six to 8 weeks to recoup coming from a shoulder accident he endured previously this month, the staff mentioned Thursday.Hughes went through a left shoulder personal injury in the course of offseason instruction. After being actually reviewed due to the Devils' clinical personnel, it was identified he will not need surgical procedure which it could possibly take more than six full weeks for him to recover.That timeline indicates Hughes will skip the Devils' seven preseason video games as well as their season-opening activities on Oct. 4 as well as Oct. 5 against the Buffalo Grass Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he can come back would certainly be actually the week of Oct. 20, which indicates the Devils will have actually played eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for also a quick duration follows he used his newbie initiative to improve why he's thought about some of the video game's brightest young superstars. Hughes ended up last time with 6 objectives and also 47 aspects while likewise being just one of 5 Devils to play in every 82 games.What Hughes performed as a newbie resulted in him finishing 3rd in Calder Prize ballot behind the possible champion, 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 activities final season. They were likewise matched for 2nd one of novices in factors with Bedard leading the organization's first-year players with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually removed to come back, he is actually anticipated to become a vital aspect of the Devils' strategies to return to the playoffs. Hughes, who was actually the 4th selection of the 2021 NHL Draught, devoted pair of years developing at the University of Michigan, which also generated his sibling Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks leader who is additionally the reigning Norris Trophy winner for the NHL's best defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after 2 seasons and also authorized his entry-level agreement along with the Devils. It enabled him to join his sibling and Devils alternative captain, Port, for the staff's playoff run during the course of the 2023 Stanley Mug playoffs.The Devils succeeded 52 video games during the 2022-23 time and also accelerated to the playoffs for the first time in 4 periods. They opened with a first-round success over the rival New york city Rangers in seven games prior to dropping in the second sphere versus the Carolina Hurricanes.Last season found the Devils struggle to discover congruity and also skip the playoffs. It triggered all of them parting methods along with crown instructor Lindy Ruff and also employing acting trainer Travis Green before they after that worked with previous Toronto Maple Leafs train Sheldon Keefe in old Might.