Devils Prospect Out 6-8 Weeks with Shoulder Injury

Devils defenseman Luke Hughes is set to miss the start of the season due to a shoulder injury.

The team announced that Hughes will be out for six to eight weeks, meaning he might return in late October or early November. This is bad news for both the Devils and Hughes, who is in his final entry-level contract year and can sign an extension anytime. Last season, he led New Jersey defenders with 47 points (9 G, 38 A) in 82 games and finished third in Calder Trophy voting behind Connor Bedard and Brock Faber.

Hughes was drafted fourth overall in 2021 and aims to join his brother Jack as a key player for the Devils. Although he needs improvement defensively, with a -25 rating last season, his offensive stats were solid. Before joining the Devils, he helped Michigan win a second straight Big 10 championship with 48 points in 39 games. He’s expected to play on the second pairing when healthy .

Impact on Team Lineup:

With Hughes out, new head coach Sheldon Keefe has some decisions to make. The top pairing will likely feature Dougie Hamilton alongside another defender. Free agent additions Brenden Dillon and Brett Pesce could form a strong defensive duo during Hughes’ absence.

Fans might wonder how this will affect the team’s performance early in the season.

If Hughes isn’t placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), it could complicate roster management for New Jersey. The team may not have room for an extra defenseman until he returns. This situation opens up opportunities for Johnathan Kovacevic, acquired from Montreal in June, who was projected as the No. 7 defender.

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