I like your thinking, but you'll never get EK or MD at those salaries.
Also, would prefer Poolparty instead of Yamamoto. We already have enough undersized players.

Byron is worth way more than two picks that will likely end up AHLers.

The math in the Shaw trade is all wrong. Shaw is a very useful player, whereas Lucic is not. So you're trading a player you want on your roster (forget the money for a moment) for a player who wouldn't make the Habs team because of a serious lack of speed. The Habs' scheme works on relentless speed -- forecheck and transition. Lucic brings none of that. By all means, take Lucic with Yamamoto and a pick or two. AND, by all means, trade Shaw. But Shaw should get you at least another second pick, possibly a swap up to a late first-rounder if you eat a little salary.

Agreed...in this scenario one or two additional trades would have to be made to dump salary and make up for the extra $2 or $3 mil realistically needed to sign both Karlsson and Duchene and even then the team would be perilously close to the cap should any in-season emergencies arise.