COLO

No to signing Brassard. Especially to a three year deal. Compher and Z probably get more than that.

Pros:
1. Good first line chemistry
2. Cap secruity
Cons:
1. Where's Connor Timmins?
2. Waaaay too much for Nyquist. Great player, but not worth that. Let's remember that's 8 years of dishing out that money
3. Barberio should be gone
4. What has Ty Lewis/O'Connor done that has made them more appetizing that Bowers or Kaut?
5. Curtis over Francouz?
6. Zadorov will want AT LEAST four mill.
7. Brassard should zero signs of making our team better during the playoffs, even became a healthy scratch for a couple games
8. Kerfoot over Compher for that second line center? Compher has more points and better faceoff percentage and is more physical

Overall, I love you're focusing on the Avs

For the OP:
Overpay for Gus, IMO. And I might prefer other options, but this is your mock
Maybe a bit under for Jimothy and Peacock.
No to McElhinney, esp for a contract that pays him until he is 40. Just roll with Frank.
Kaut likely needs another year with the Eagles, so plug that spot with Kamenev if he can stay healthy.
The 7th D ought to be TImmins if healthy, otherwise Graves. and Meloche after that. Barbs is done IMO. At least until (if) Barrie is traded and injuries hit.
Do not bring back Brassard, please. A couple decent games against SJS does not wipe the stink of 4 goals and 0 assists and shoddy defensive play in the 25+ games before that. Use that money for a stud 4C that is not going to need legacy pay for what he did years ago.

@JohnC
He may have left Timmins off due to uncertainty in his health...though I agree he should be in if able.
I can see the logic of keeping Kaut and Bowers with the Eagles for a year to develop with big minutes, rather than healthy scratches and 4th line seconds with the big club. The one I might put ahead of them is Greer.
Concerning Kerfoot vs Compher, yes JTC is more physical, and I agree that he should be on the 4th line ahead of Kerfoot, but some facts: AK13 put up 42 points in 78 games, JTC 32 in 66....Kerfoot scored more AND paced higher. For face-offs, Kerfoot went 274-215, Compher 301-311...Kerfoot had a higher win%. Maybe you were thinking of Jost? Either way, I think Jost and JTC should be together, as they have shown chemsitry. Kerfoot is optional at this point IMO.