I don't hate it, but Sullivan pushed out Cole to begin with so it would be hard to see them bringing him back

They're not picking up Johnson and resigning Zadorov for that much when they have Byram ready to play next year lol. This roster is horribly constructed for Colorado's future. It leaves them with literally no space to resign Makar or Landeskog.

That’s a brutal deal, downgrade bother players and take one of the worst contracts for a dman in the league, yikes

Pens accept and package cole in another trade.

Hence the "All In" aspect, but this isn't what I see Sakic do anyway (except perhaps the Haula signing or something similar)

But for arguments sake:
Byram needs to earn the spot first and at a playoff caliber level. Zadorov/Graves are not immovable once he does.
Timmins isn't exactly a lock for the roster either. Connauton got the call before him.
Jack. Johnson buyout isn't punitive after next season or they pay Seattle to take him. Sakic bought out Orpik to get Grubs for a 2nd.

But, even so they will be sitting with 15.5m going into the offseason
Newhook, Bowers and Kaut will fill for expiring forwards.
Avs likely gain 3.5m from who they lose in expansion (Compher, Haula, Zadorov, Graves, Donskoi)
The money will be there for Landeskog and Makar