.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 between six to eight full weeks to bounce back coming from a shoulder accident he endured previously this month, the team claimed Thursday.Hughes went through a left shoulder trauma throughout offseason training. After being actually analyzed due to the Devils' health care workers, it was actually determined he would certainly not require surgical treatment and also it can take much more than 6 full weeks for him to recover.That timeline indicates Hughes would certainly skip the Devils' seven preseason video games and also their season-opening activities on Oct. 4 and also Oct. 5 against the Buffalo Grass Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could return would be actually the week of Oct. twenty, which implies the Devils would possess actually played eight regular-season games.Losing Hughes for even a quick time frame comes after he utilized his rookie project to improve why he's thought about among the game's brightest young celebrities. Hughes completed final time along with 6 objectives and 47 aspects while additionally being one of 5 Devils to play in every 82 games.What Hughes performed as a newbie resulted in him completing 3rd in Calder Prize voting responsible for the possible winner, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, and Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and Faber were the only novice defensemen that played all 82 video games final period. They were also tied for 2nd one of newbies in points along with Bedard leading the league's first-year gamers with 61 points.Once Hughes is cleared to return, he's anticipated to become a vital part of the Devils' plannings to go back to the playoffs. Hughes, that was actually the fourth choice of the 2021 NHL Draft, spent two years cultivating at the Educational institution of Michigan, which also created his bro Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks captain who is actually also the reigning Norris Trophy victor for the NHL's ideal defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after 2 times and also authorized his entry-level deal along with the Devils. It enabled him to join his sibling and also Adversaries alternate leader, Port, for the staff's playoff run during the course of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils gained 52 video games during the course of the 2022-23 time and advanced to the playoffs for the very first time in four periods. They opened up with a first-round victory over the competing New York Rangers in seven games before dropping in the 2nd round against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last period found the Devils struggle to locate uniformity as well as miss the playoffs. It triggered all of them parting methods with head instructor Lindy Ruff as well as hiring interim train Travis Green prior to they then worked with previous Toronto Walnut Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe in late May.