The blockbuster trade for Quinn Hughes in December transformed the Minnesota Wild in many ways, electrifying their offense, pushing their pace and providing a reason to believe they can finally be a true Stanley Cup contender.So finding a way to extend the superstar defenseman is priority No. 1 for president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Guerin this summer.The good news is there’s mutual interest in a reunion.Guerin met with Hughes in New Jersey earlier this offseason and said there have been “very, very preliminary” contract talks with Hughes camp. Then owner Craig Leipold went as far as to say on MPR radio last week, “We are going to re-sign him. The question will be for how long.”Leipold also seemed to confirm what The Athletic has been reporting for months, that Hughes is interested in something in the neighborhood of a three-year deal. Three years would, probably not coincidentally, line up with the end of older brother Jack’s contract with the New Jersey Devils.Hughes is still a year away from hitting unrestricted free agency, but he will be eligible for an extension on Wednesday, and the former Norris Trophy winner said at the end of the season that getting something done this summer would be preferred.“I really like it here,” Hughes said. “I love the team. I love the city and the fans. Just being in that locker room, it’s a special group. Would definitely be open to re-signing here with the guys that we have in the room and just the people we have in the room. A lot of trust with Billy, as well, and love (coach John Hynes) and (associate coach Jack Capuano) and the coaching staff.“I just think it’s a great spot, great situation for myself. In saying all that, go with where you want with that.”The Wild would be open to several types of deals — shorter or longer — and it doesn’t feel like money should be too much of an issue. But Hughes has the control here.So what does a potential Hughes deal look like? And how does it impact the Wild cap?The rising cap makes for an interesting landscape around the NHL. So does the fact that Hughes and Colorado Avalanche superstar defenseman Cale Makar are a year away from unrestricted free agency. The player that signs first will likely become the model for the other.The context of their situations adds another element of intrigue. Makar’s teammate, Nathan MacKinnon, signed for less than market value in 2022, and that could set a precedent in Colorado, which could have a ripple effect on Hughes if Makar signs first. The Avalanche intend to get Makar signed this offseason, too.Dom Luszczyszyn’s model projects a market value of $17.8 million, on average, over the next eight years, for Hughes, which would make him the highest-paid player in the NHL. The model projects Makar at a market value of $21.1 million.Generally, stars sign below their market value. Makar is underpaid. MacKinnon is underpaid. Connor McDavid is underpaid. The list goes on.