That could be the best group of centres, but the wingers are NHL average at best. You think Gauthier is first line right winger but you can acquire him for an AHLer?

Edmonton's in a position where they're going to need to find a cost-effective fit alongside McDavid for the time being. Gauthier has a toolbox that suggests he's play well with McDavid, and Puljujarvi could be attractive to the Hurricanes given time to rekindle his magic with Aho. It's not about me thinking he's a first-line winger right now, it's me seeing a fit based on Gauthier's speed and keeping balance on lines 2 and 3.

Average wingers alongside 100-point centers probably play better than typically-average wingers.

This is how Edmonton ends up messed up for years.

This is not a one stop shop fix all. They need 2-3 years to turn this around with patience. They need to make good moves, not over pay for people and sign people to long term deals just to have someone.
They need to draft well, scout like hell for prospects out the NCAA free agent pool, and out of europe. Piece together a solution. In two years they might be competitive again

In 2-3 years, McDavid might seriously want out, especially if the incumbent GM can't make the team competitive. There isn't going to be a perfect solution to fixing this team, and I'm struggling to see where you're likening this to the same mess that got Edmonton into this mess. Edmonton keeps its top picks, allowing the Oilers to draft skilled players. Dead contracts are managed. What did you need to see here to suggest otherwise? If Edmonton has to make the playoffs this season - to appease a beyond-frustrated fanbase and a frustrated McDavid - what else are they supposed to do? Keep Koskinen and not sign any wingers?

Vanek is a one year stopgap for Benson. Namestnikov is likely to be replaced by Yamamoto. Marody likely fills in for Kassian. Pysyk and Benning are going to be replaced by Bouchard and Persson. The big three centers are split up, Russell and Sekera's money is gone entirely the season after. Lucic is out and his production will be replaced, and likely doubled. Tripled is even a possibility. Zegras is going to be an absolute stud, and Cajkovic (should he realize his potential away from Saint John) is a pretty safe bet with a 2nd Round Pick. I don't think there's closer to a better scenario for the Oilers while maintaining some form of realism.

First it's not about making the playoffs. It's about winning a cup. This roster isn't going to do that. I would rather my team completely suck then be stuck in mediocrity forever.
Second this isn't realistic starting with the Lucic trade.

You don't have to build this team in 1 year. That's a myth. It's better to build it slow and wait for better fits. Dzing is a good role player. He's not worth 5 million.
Frealand will probably cost you more than 4.5
Donskoi, probably isn't worth signing to a 3 year deal.

A lot of these trades probably aren't going to happen, and then you have chemistry issues of bringing in 12 new faces and making it work.

This team needs to A. pick a system and B find the right players to fit it over time. They don't have to rush. McDavid is only 22. Their 1st window for winning a cup closed out with out one. The next one starts when the peaking core gets an influx of good youth to help them. There is nothing you can do about that now but help that process develop. You get 2-3 cycles to win a cup in the salary cup era. That's just the way it is. Because eventually your team gets picked apart and it's hard to stay a float. The first one was wasted with dumb trades. Don't wast the second one by rushing it.

Montreal laugh and decline, and the Kings are trying to get younger and faster they already have enough bad contracts (Quick, Brown, Carter Phaneuf etc.)