.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is an NHL media reporter for ESPN.New Shirt Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will need between six to eight weeks to recover from a shoulder accident he experienced earlier this month, the staff pointed out Thursday.Hughes endured a left shoulder trauma in the course of offseason training. After being actually assessed by the Devils' medical workers, it was actually determined he will certainly not need surgical treatment which it could take more than 6 weeks for him to recover.That timeline indicates Hughes would skip the Devils' seven preseason video games and their season-opening video games on Oct. 4 as well as Oct. 5 against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could return would be actually the week of Oct. 20, which suggests the Devils would have already participated in eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for also a short duration comes after he utilized his novice project to bolster why he is actually thought about among the game's brightest young superstars. Hughes ended up final time along with 6 objectives and 47 points while additionally being among five Adversaries to play in all 82 games.What Hughes performed as a newbie brought about him finishing 3rd in Calder Prize voting behind the possible champion, Chicago Blackhawks facility Connor Bedard, and Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and also Faber were actually the only rookie defensemen who played all 82 video games final season. They were actually also matched for 2nd amongst rookies in aspects along with Bedard leading the league's first-year players along with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually gotten rid of to return, he's assumed to become a crucial component of the Devils' plans to go back to the playoffs. Hughes, who was the fourth choice of the 2021 NHL Draft, invested 2 years developing at the College of Michigan, which likewise made his brother Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks leader that is additionally the reigning Norris Prize winner for the NHL's ideal defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after pair of times and also signed his entry-level contract with the Devils. It permitted him to join his brother as well as Evil ones alternative captain, Jack, for the team's playoff operate throughout the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils succeeded 52 games throughout the 2022-23 season as well as accelerated to the playoffs for the first time in four periods. They opened up along with a first-round success over the rivalrous New York Rangers in 7 video games before losing in the 2nd round against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last time found the Devils struggle to locate congruity and skip the playoffs. It caused them parting methods with head coach Lindy Ruff as well as choosing acting instructor Travis Green just before they then chose former Toronto Maple Leafs train Sheldon Keefe in late May.