I get losing Landeskog hurts but this seem like poor asset management.
Plus sharks have said everyone…. But Hertl
Is available so I think they say no.

It's a lot to give up, but it gives the Avs an elite 2c that's signed for their entire cup window. Plus, we'll likely have to trade Girard to re-sign Toews, so we can re-coup some assets there. The following season the cap should go up significantly so you drop Drouin and add Landeskog back in.

if I'm Mike Grier I'm all over this

I guess, I would opt for Pacioretty and Domi over Drouin and Hertl. Keep your picks and could have a better stronger team with a shade more cap (Domi 3 years 4.5 mil Pacioretty 1 year 4 mil after back to back injuries) leaving you 2 mil roughly to roster a full 23 players and stay under the cap so you actually have cap space at the TDL to use.

The Avs locker room vetoed Domi at the trade deadline, so we won't be brining him on. Patches is constantly hurt so that's a big risk in itself.

Why would Colorado make that trade?

If someone offers you two 1st rounders and a good prospect for Hertl without any retention you take that and run, who cares what’s been said

Yea… but they are late 1sts and with Hertl and Karlsson gone sharks have zero marketable talent to pull fans and will play to 1/2 full arena for the next 4-5 years till they find a stud and start playing playoff caliber.

Hertl is expensive, but:

-take away $200k from EJ, Cogs, Eller, Meyers, & Donskoi lets you get better than Drouin, maybe a rental like Haula.
-I think Byram takes a one year $3M deal; use the savings on a 2nd scratch player.

The arena is already empty with them their and that contract will likely age poorly

I don’t think so, Hertl game is based on skill and intelligence not speed, I would avoid players who's game is predicated on speed or physicality after age 32 due to that issue that those types are fast on decline by 32/33 and while there are exceptions to the rule it’s rare. But guys like Thornton and Pavelski who live on intelligence drive and skill tend to age well.

I don't believe the Avs can afford to take on Hertl and re-sign Toews (barring a MASSIVE discount) plus Mikko and Cale when they come up. The cap going up soon just means those guys ask for more money, not that there will be more room; these guys have been living off depressed wages and exorbitant escrow payments for years so now they'll want to be PAID.

Yeah, but that's the thing - Hertl has a full NMC for the next two seasons so he'd really be the one driving the bus. I'd probably pull the trigger if I'm him - and I definitely would if I was Grier - but who knows?

Do we really think Hertl would decline a trade to Colorado?

I have genuinely no idea, but he's not dumb and he knew what way the wind was blowing when he signed that contract. He's on record as loving San Jose and having faith in the organization, so who knows? I'd take it, but that's me.