Eh don't know about that. I'm not expecting an outright top 4 D in his prime - maybe he's 30 about to hit his downside, maybe he's 21 and just now about to be an NHL regular. I'd gamble with either scenario over the combo of Chairot, Stuart, Postma etc on their own.
I'd trade Dano to Vegas for Schlemko for example, or Petan & 24 for Theodore. I don't see either being far-fetched. We know VGK has too many D.
I'm with you re: next year being huge. Hope vs. expectation thing I guess. At some point the new core needs to experience winning, rather it be sooner than later.