.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 6 to 8 weeks to bounce back coming from a shoulder personal injury he endured earlier this month, the crew mentioned Thursday.Hughes endured a nigh side shoulder accident during offseason training. After being actually reviewed by the Devils' clinical personnel, it was established he would not require surgical operation and that it could possibly take more than 6 weeks for him to recover.That timeline suggests Hughes would certainly skip the Devils' seven preseason games as well as their season-opening games on Oct. 4 and also Oct. 5 versus the Buffalo Grass Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could possibly come back will be actually the week of Oct. 20, which indicates the Devils will possess currently played eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for even a quick duration follows he used his newbie project to strengthen why he is actually looked at one of the game's brightest younger superstars. Hughes finished final period along with 6 objectives and 47 factors while likewise being among five Devils to play in each 82 games.What Hughes completed as a newbie triggered him completing 3rd in Calder Trophy ballot behind the ultimate victor, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, as well as Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and Faber were the only rookie defensemen that participated in all 82 games last time. They were likewise matched for second amongst rookies in aspects along with Bedard leading the organization's first-year gamers along with 61 points.Once Hughes is cleared to return, he's expected to become a crucial component of the Devils' programs to come back to the playoffs. Hughes, who was actually the 4th pick of the 2021 NHL Draft, invested two years cultivating at the College of Michigan, which additionally produced his bro Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks captain that is actually additionally the reigning Norris Prize victor for the NHL's finest defenseman.Hughes left behind Michigan after 2 seasons and also authorized his entry-level agreement along with the Devils. It enabled him to join his bro and also Devils alternating captain, Port, for the staff's playoff operate during the 2023 Stanley Mug playoffs.The Devils won 52 video games throughout the 2022-23 time as well as evolved to the playoffs for the first time in 4 times. They opened up with a first-round triumph over the rivalrous New York Rangers in seven games before shedding in the second sphere versus the Carolina Hurricanes.Last period viewed the Devils battle to discover uniformity and miss the playoffs. It caused them parting ways along with crown trainer Lindy Ruff and hiring acting instructor Travis Veggie before they then chose previous Toronto Walnut Leafs instructor Sheldon Keefe in old Might.