.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is actually an NHL reporter for ESPN.New Jacket Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will definitely need between 6 to 8 full weeks to recuperate from a shoulder trauma he went through previously this month, the group mentioned Thursday.Hughes endured a left side shoulder personal injury during the course of offseason training. After being examined by the Devils' clinical workers, it was actually determined he will not demand surgical procedure and that it might take greater than 6 full weeks for him to recover.That timetable indicates Hughes will skip the Devils' seven preseason games and also their season-opening games on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 versus the Buffalo Grass Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could return will be the full week of Oct. 20, which indicates the Devils would have actually participated in eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for even a short time frame comes after he used his novice initiative to strengthen why he's thought about some of the activity's brightest youthful celebrities. Hughes ended up final time with six goals and also 47 aspects while additionally being among 5 Adversaries to play with all 82 games.What Hughes achieved as a novice triggered him finishing 3rd in Calder Trophy voting responsible for the resulting champion, Chicago Blackhawks facility Connor Bedard, as well as Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes as well as Faber were the only newbie defensemen who participated in all 82 games final period. They were actually also matched for second one of novices in factors with Bedard leading the league's first-year players along with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually removed to come back, he's anticipated to become a crucial portion of the Devils' plans to return to the playoffs. Hughes, that was actually the 4th selection of the 2021 NHL Draught, spent pair of years cultivating at the University of Michigan, which additionally produced his bro Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks leader that is actually likewise the reigning Norris Trophy victor for the NHL's greatest defenseman.Hughes left behind Michigan after two seasons as well as authorized his entry-level arrangement along with the Devils. It enabled him to join his brother and Devils alternate leader, Port, for the staff's playoff run during the course of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils succeeded 52 activities throughout the 2022-23 season as well as progressed to the playoffs for the very first time in 4 periods. They opened up with a first-round triumph over the rival The big apple Rangers in 7 games just before shedding in the second round versus the Carolina Hurricanes.Last period viewed the Devils struggle to find congruity as well as skip the playoffs. It triggered all of them parting means with crown coach Lindy Ruff and also tapping the services of interim instructor Travis Eco-friendly prior to they after that chose former Toronto Walnut Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe in late Might.