.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN.New Shirt Devils defenseman Luke Hughes are going to need to have between six to eight full weeks to bounce back coming from a shoulder trauma he suffered earlier this month, the crew mentioned Thursday.Hughes suffered a left shoulder trauma throughout offseason instruction. After being analyzed due to the Devils' medical workers, it was identified he would certainly not require surgery and also it could possibly take more than six weeks for him to recover.That timetable suggests Hughes will miss the Devils' 7 preseason video games and also their season-opening video games on Oct. 4 as well as Oct. 5 versus the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he could possibly return will be the week of Oct. twenty, which indicates the Devils will have presently participated in 8 regular-season games.Losing Hughes for even a short time period happens after he used his novice project to reinforce why he is actually taken into consideration one of the game's brightest young stars. Hughes ended up last period along with 6 goals and 47 aspects while likewise being just one of 5 Evil ones to play in each 82 games.What Hughes performed as a newbie triggered him completing third in Calder Prize ballot behind the possible victor, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, and Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and also Faber were actually the only novice defensemen who participated in all 82 activities last time. They were actually likewise matched for second among newbies in points with Bedard leading the organization's first-year gamers along with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually removed to come back, he's assumed to become a vital aspect of the Devils' plannings to come back to the playoffs. Hughes, that was the fourth selection of the 2021 NHL Draft, devoted two years establishing at the College of Michigan, which also generated his bro Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks leader that is actually likewise the reigning Norris Trophy winner for the NHL's ideal defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after 2 periods and also signed his entry-level agreement along with the Devils. It allowed him to join his brother and also Evil ones alternative captain, Port, for the group's playoff run throughout the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.The Devils gained 52 video games in the course of the 2022-23 time as well as progressed to the playoffs for the very first time in 4 times. They opened with a first-round victory over the rival New york city Rangers in seven games prior to losing in the second round against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last period saw the Devils battle to locate uniformity and also miss out on the playoffs. It caused them parting techniques along with crown instructor Lindy Ruff and employing acting coach Travis Environment-friendly before they at that point employed previous Toronto Maple Leafs train Sheldon Keefe in old May.