.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 will certainly require in between six to eight weeks to recover from a shoulder personal injury he endured previously this month, the staff stated Thursday.Hughes suffered a nigh side shoulder accident during offseason training. After being actually assessed due to the Devils' health care personnel, it was determined he would certainly not require surgical treatment and also it could take much more than 6 full weeks for him to recover.That timeline implies Hughes would certainly overlook the Devils' 7 preseason activities and their season-opening activities on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 versus the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could possibly return would be the week of Oct. 20, which implies the Devils will possess currently played 8 regular-season games.Losing Hughes for even a quick time frame follows he utilized his novice initiative to reinforce why he is actually looked at one of the activity's brightest young superstars. Hughes ended up last period along with 6 goals as well as 47 aspects while additionally being just one of 5 Devils to play with all 82 games.What Hughes achieved as a novice caused him completing third in Calder Prize voting responsible for the resulting victor, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, and Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and Faber were the only rookie defensemen who participated in all 82 activities last season. They were additionally matched for second one of novices in aspects along with Bedard leading the league's first-year gamers along with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually cleared to come back, he's anticipated to become a crucial portion of the Devils' plannings to go back to the playoffs. Hughes, that was actually the fourth pick of the 2021 NHL Draft, invested 2 years building at the Educational institution of Michigan, which additionally made his brother Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks captain that is also the ruling Norris Trophy winner for the NHL's finest defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after two seasons and signed his entry-level arrangement along with the Devils. It permitted him to join his sibling as well as Adversaries alternating captain, Jack, for the staff's playoff operate throughout the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils gained 52 activities during the 2022-23 time and accelerated to the playoffs for the first time in four times. They opened up with a first-round triumph over the rivalrous New york city Rangers in seven games just before losing in the 2nd around versus the Carolina Hurricanes.Last time saw the Devils battle to locate consistency and also overlook the playoffs. It brought about them parting ways with crown instructor Lindy Ruff and also hiring acting coach Travis Veggie before they then employed past Toronto Walnut Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe in old May.