.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is an NHL media reporter for ESPN.New Jacket Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will need between six to 8 full weeks to recuperate from a shoulder accident he went through previously this month, the group mentioned Thursday.Hughes endured a remaining shoulder injury in the course of offseason instruction. After being actually reviewed due to the Devils' clinical workers, it was actually determined he will certainly not need surgical treatment which it can take greater than 6 full weeks for him to recover.That timeline indicates Hughes would miss out on the Devils' 7 preseason activities as well as their season-opening activities on Oct. 4 and also Oct. 5 versus the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he might come back would certainly be the week of Oct. twenty, which means the Devils would possess currently played eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for even a quick time period happens after he utilized his novice campaign to reinforce why he's thought about among the game's brightest youthful superstars. Hughes finished final time with 6 objectives as well as 47 factors while also being among 5 Devils to play in every 82 games.What Hughes accomplished as a rookie resulted in him ending up third in Calder Prize voting responsible for the eventual champion, Chicago Blackhawks facility Connor Bedard, as well as Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and Faber were actually the only novice defensemen that participated in all 82 games last period. They were likewise matched for 2nd amongst rookies in factors with Bedard leading the organization's first-year players with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually cleared to return, he is actually assumed to become an essential part of the Devils' strategies to return to the playoffs. Hughes, that was actually the fourth selection of the 2021 NHL Draft, spent 2 years building at the College of Michigan, which also created his brother Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks captain who is also the ruling Norris Trophy champion for the NHL's greatest defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after pair of periods and signed his entry-level arrangement along with the Devils. It permitted him to join his sibling and also Devils alternating captain, Jack, for the team's playoff operate throughout the 2023 Stanley Mug playoffs.The Devils succeeded 52 activities in the course of the 2022-23 season and also evolved to the playoffs for the first time in four periods. They opened up along with a first-round victory over the competing The big apple Rangers in seven video games before dropping in the 2nd around against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last season viewed the Devils problem to find consistency as well as miss out on the playoffs. It brought about them parting means along with crown train Lindy Ruff and choosing acting coach Travis Veggie prior to they then chose former Toronto Maple Leafs trainer Sheldon Keefe in old May.