From the games I've watched, Dallas' defense is still very bad. Bishop has been better than I expected. I sincerely wonder if Hitchcock has lost his edge. I think this may wind up being viewed as a bad hire in hindsight, where he's just chasing records and lacks the fire to turn that team around or harness their offensive talent.
I think Hitch was a good hire for them in the sense that he's a defensive first coach, which should help them mask some of their defensive deficiencies. In theory at least. In practice though, I think their back end is so bad that it really neuters the impact Hitch's defensive game plan can have. His defensive system really seems to thrive when he's got defensemen that are effective in transition. Klingberg is really the only dangerous guy they have in that department.
I don't expect them to be this bad for too long, but I also don't look for them to be this juggernaut that all the experts are predicting. In the end, I expect them to be competitive for a playoff spot but don't think they'll make any sort of meaningful run.
I also don't buy the argument (not that you are making it) that Hitch neuters top players' offense. He certainly didn't do it with Tarasenko. Guys like Benn and Seguin are going to score. They have too much talent not to. On the whole, Dallas has too much offensive talent to struggle offensively for a length period of time. Can the offense carry the load for the defense? I doubt it. Especially considering how important the transition game as become. But we shall see I suppose.