.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is an NHL media reporter for ESPN.New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will need to have in between six to eight full weeks to bounce back from a shoulder injury he went through earlier this month, the staff claimed Thursday.Hughes endured a left side shoulder injury in the course of offseason instruction. After being analyzed due to the Devils' clinical workers, it was actually identified he will certainly not require surgical operation and also it could take greater than six full weeks for him to recover.That timeline implies Hughes would skip the Devils' 7 preseason games and their season-opening games on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 against the Buffalo Grass Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could possibly come back would be the full week of Oct. twenty, which means the Devils will possess already played eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for also a quick duration happens after he used his rookie campaign to strengthen why he's considered among the game's brightest young superstars. Hughes ended up last time with 6 goals and 47 aspects while also being one of five Adversaries to play in every 82 games.What Hughes performed as a newbie caused him finishing third in Calder Trophy ballot responsible for the possible winner, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, as well as Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes as well as Faber were actually the only newbie defensemen that played all 82 video games final season. They were actually likewise matched for second among rookies in aspects along with Bedard leading the game's first-year players along with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually removed to return, he's expected to become a critical part of the Devils' strategies to return to the playoffs. Hughes, that was actually the 4th choice of the 2021 NHL Draught, devoted 2 years developing at the Educational institution of Michigan, which additionally produced his bro Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks captain that is actually additionally the ruling Norris Prize champion for the NHL's finest defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after 2 seasons and also signed his entry-level deal along with the Devils. It allowed him to join his sibling and also Devils alternate captain, Port, for the staff's playoff run during the course of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils won 52 games during the 2022-23 period and also advanced to the playoffs for the very first time in four times. They opened along with a first-round triumph over the competing The big apple Rangers in seven activities prior to dropping in the second sphere against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last time observed the Devils struggle to discover uniformity and skip the playoffs. It caused them parting techniques with crown train Lindy Ruff as well as hiring acting instructor Travis Environment-friendly just before they at that point chose previous Toronto Maple Leafs train Sheldon Keefe in late Might.