CGY's the clear winner here. In terms of what they're gaining in comparison to what they're moving, Ryan+1st is just not getting you Gallagher.

I don't mind adding a prospect but dont underestimate Ryan, he's on a similar level to Bonino

You'd have to add more than a prospect. Ryan for Jost isn't fair and MTL is not the team giving up the pick to help in that...

Jost is a prospect that likely needs a change of scenery... his value isn't extremely high right now. Ryan is currently the better player and would be much better for Colorado than Jost this upcoming season as he also fits their needs too.
Gallagher is a solid ~55 point player with intangibles, he probably returns a little less than Patches. Adding Jost to the 3rd line and betting on his potential while also getting a 1st (and the prospect I referred to in the last response) is a pretty solid return if they think Gally might walk.

imo Tkachuk is better than Gaudreau

That's really random. What's your point?

Ryan is a rental just like Jost. Ryan might ne marginally better player, but Jost has higher value due to his age and the fact he's a RFA.

I don't think Jost+1st = Gallagher+3rd.

Frankly, I don't think MTL is moving Gallagher. The price is going to be nuts. Pacioretty was under trade rumors for some time before he was moved, and to be fair his return was quite great.

Don’t disagree with Jost needing a change of scenery but Ryan is at best marginally better but carries a cap hit potentially 3.5X what Jost makes. That’s a decline from the Avs purely for cap reasons.

Do you expect Cole to be moved before before the end of the offseason? I feel like he will be pushed out of the starting line up by Byram. If so You should have more than enough cap space to add Ryan.

I think you would have to add at the very least one of Kylington, Ruzicka, or Phillips to get that trade done which I think would be worth.

Probably, I mentioned that in the comments above

Honestly I think they keep Cole all season. His versatility being able to play both sides, makes him valuable even in a 7th dman role at such a big number, which regardless expires at the end of the year. A bunch of COL fans want to ditch him because he played poorly against DAL, when he was forced into an ultra heavy minute load because of injuries. That’s ridiculous. Personally I want to see him as Byram’s partner at the beginning of the season. 3rd pairing, his experience allows Byram a little more free reign and insulates him from mistakes.

Do you see someone else getting moved then? You cant really have him playing 3rd pair with the other 5 defense on the team and Byram pushing for a spot

I think Sakic remembers all to well rolling out guys like Weircoch, Tutin and Beauchamin not just to play but in the top 4. Byram is going to be given every chance to EARN a spot as a 19 yr old but he won’t be given one.
I also think there is some concern about EJ’s ability to stay healthy and if Graves might regress. I think the top 3 is a lock with Makar, Girard and Toews. Then the next 3 being EJ, Byram or Timmins(with one of them being sent down) and Graves. That makes Cole the 7th. The only place it gets sticky and it is a good sticky is if Byram and Timmins are clearly 2 of the 6 best then you are looking at making a move. It is going to be super interesting for sure.