.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is actually an NHL press reporter for ESPN.New Jacket Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will need between six to 8 weeks to recuperate from a shoulder personal injury he endured previously this month, the staff mentioned Thursday.Hughes endured a left side shoulder personal injury in the course of offseason instruction. After being actually reviewed due to the Devils' medical personnel, it was actually calculated he would not need surgical procedure which it might take greater than six weeks for him to recover.That timeline means Hughes will miss the Devils' 7 preseason video games and their season-opening games on Oct. 4 and also Oct. 5 against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could come back will be actually the week of Oct. 20, which means the Devils would certainly possess actually participated in eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for even a brief duration happens after he utilized his novice initiative to bolster why he is actually considered among the game's brightest young superstars. Hughes finished final season with six goals and also 47 factors while likewise being just one of five Devils to play in all 82 games.What Hughes performed as a rookie brought about him finishing third in Calder Trophy ballot behind the possible winner, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, and Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes as well as Faber were actually the only rookie defensemen who participated in all 82 games last period. They were additionally tied for 2nd among rookies in points with Bedard leading the organization's first-year gamers with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually gotten rid of to come back, he is actually anticipated to become an important portion of the Devils' programs to go back to the playoffs. Hughes, who was the fourth selection of the 2021 NHL Draught, spent 2 years creating at the University of Michigan, which also created his sibling Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks leader that is actually likewise the ruling Norris Prize victor for the NHL's absolute best defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after pair of periods as well as signed his entry-level arrangement with the Devils. It enabled him to join his sibling and also Devils alternate captain, Port, for the staff's playoff run in the course of the 2023 Stanley Mug playoffs.The Devils won 52 activities throughout the 2022-23 season and advanced to the playoffs for the very first time in 4 seasons. They opened up with a first-round success over the rival Nyc Rangers in 7 video games just before losing in the second sphere against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last period viewed the Devils problem to locate congruity and also miss the playoffs. It brought about all of them parting ways along with crown instructor Lindy Ruff as well as working with interim instructor Travis Eco-friendly before they after that hired previous Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe in old Might.