By not giving them absurd overpayments? The Gaudreau, Mange and Kylington are clearly too high

Gaudreau shouldn't be high at 12 million, he is the league's top 5 on 5 scorer by such a wide margin he'll be the best 5v5 player in 20 years. Not saying he should be paid like McDavid but clearly he will be a perennial 100 point player and Matthews signed at 14.64% of cap hit, Marner at 13.38% cap hit, McDavid at 16.67% cap hit, Gaudreau for a $82.5million cap hit deserves at least 14% so 11.5 mill / year so a similar contract to Matthews puts Gaudreay at $12 million, let me know if my take is off

Matthews Marner and McDavid all signed those deals at age 21/22, not 30. Matthews and Marner also didn't sign 8 year deals. Do not compare players that aren't in remotely similar situations. The only way Gaudreau gets over 10M is with a different team because they can't offer him 8 years to bring the cap hit down. Players are also not paid based on cap hits, they are paid in contract totals. You are proposing Gaudreau will get 96M and at minimum 92M. Panarin the best comparable to Gaudreau skill, position, and playstyle wise got 81.5M in a non-flat cap. I would say your take is way off

Gaudreau $8.5m to $9.0m
Tkachuk $8.5m to $9.0m
Mangiapane $4.5m to $5.0m
Kylington $3.0m to $4.0m

That would save ~$6m to void to the Dube/Lucic deals.

Then just need a plan for Monahan when he returns.