.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is an NHL media reporter for ESPN.New Jacket Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will require in between six to eight full weeks to recuperate from a shoulder accident he went through previously this month, the crew said Thursday.Hughes suffered a nigh side shoulder injury throughout offseason training. After being actually analyzed due to the Devils' medical team, it was determined he would certainly certainly not require surgical procedure and that it could take much more than six weeks for him to recover.That timetable suggests Hughes would miss the Devils' seven preseason activities and their season-opening games on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 against the Buffalo Grass Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he might come back would be the full week of Oct. 20, which suggests the Devils would possess currently participated in 8 regular-season games.Losing Hughes for also a brief duration happens after he utilized his rookie campaign to enhance why he is actually considered among the game's brightest younger superstars. Hughes finished final period with 6 objectives as well as 47 points while likewise being among five Adversaries to play in each 82 games.What Hughes completed as a newbie resulted in him completing 3rd in Calder Prize ballot behind the possible champion, Chicago Blackhawks facility Connor Bedard, and also Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes as well as Faber were actually the only rookie defensemen that participated in all 82 games last season. They were actually also matched for second one of novices in aspects along with Bedard leading the league's first-year players along with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually cleared to come back, he's expected to be an important aspect of the Devils' plannings to go back to the playoffs. Hughes, who was the 4th choice of the 2021 NHL Draft, devoted 2 years building at the University of Michigan, which also produced his bro Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks leader who is additionally the ruling Norris Trophy victor for the NHL's greatest defenseman.Hughes left behind Michigan after pair of times and also authorized his entry-level agreement along with the Devils. It allowed him to join his bro and Devils alternate leader, Jack, for the staff's playoff operate in the course of the 2023 Stanley Mug playoffs.The Devils gained 52 activities during the 2022-23 time as well as evolved to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. They opened along with a first-round victory over the rival The big apple Rangers in 7 activities prior to losing in the 2nd around against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last period found the Devils struggle to locate congruity and also skip the playoffs. It brought about them parting ways with crown train Lindy Ruff as well as choosing interim train Travis Veggie just before they after that hired former Toronto Walnut Leafs train Sheldon Keefe in late Might.