.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN.New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will definitely need to have between 6 to 8 full weeks to recuperate from a shoulder accident he experienced earlier this month, the group stated Thursday.Hughes suffered a remaining shoulder accident throughout offseason training. After being evaluated due to the Devils' medical workers, it was actually determined he would certainly not require surgical operation and also it might take more than six weeks for him to recover.That timeline implies Hughes would miss out on the Devils' 7 preseason activities and also their season-opening video games on Oct. 4 and also Oct. 5 versus the Buffalo Grass Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could come back would certainly be the full week of Oct. twenty, which implies the Devils would certainly possess currently played 8 regular-season games.Losing Hughes for even a brief period comes after he used his rookie project to enhance why he is actually looked at among the activity's brightest younger stars. Hughes completed final season with six targets and 47 aspects while likewise being one of five Adversaries to play with all 82 games.What Hughes performed as a newbie resulted in him finishing 3rd in Calder Prize voting responsible for the resulting winner, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, as well as Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and also Faber were the only newbie defensemen that played all 82 activities last season. They were actually additionally matched for second amongst rookies in aspects with Bedard leading the league's first-year players along with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually cleared to return, he's anticipated to be a crucial component of the Devils' plannings to return to the playoffs. Hughes, who was actually the fourth choice of the 2021 NHL Draft, devoted 2 years developing at the Educational institution of Michigan, which also made his bro Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks captain that is actually additionally the ruling Norris Trophy champion for the NHL's finest defenseman.Hughes left behind Michigan after 2 seasons and signed his entry-level arrangement with the Devils. It enabled him to join his bro and Evil ones alternate captain, Port, for the group's playoff operate throughout the 2023 Stanley Mug playoffs.The Devils won 52 activities throughout the 2022-23 season and evolved to the playoffs for the very first time in 4 seasons. They opened with a first-round success over the rival New york city Rangers in 7 games before shedding in the second around versus the Carolina Hurricanes.Last season viewed the Devils battle to locate consistency and miss out on the playoffs. It caused them parting methods along with head train Lindy Ruff and working with acting instructor Travis Veggie before they then worked with previous Toronto Walnut Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe in late Might.