Not my opinions, please dont shoot the messenger.
Was listening to a finnish podcast where Kimmo Timonen is one of the two hosts, and he said that Bedard's skating isnt where it needs to be (but will only get better and easily since he is so young).
Other points; He looks scared to go to the corners and also kinda floats around waiting for someone else to do the work and waits for the puck, emphasized on the fact that it doesnt work like that in the NHL if you want to be a difference maker.
He isn't someone who has watched all his shifts or probably not even half so take that in mind, just his opinions watching him every now and then.
He's not entirely wrong, especially about his skating. He's playing lower in the defensive zone this season, filling more of what is traditionally the center's duties defensively, and because he's further back and his skating hasn't improved enough, he's not getting many chances off odd-man rushes. And the Hawks aren't skilled enough to cycle the puck either, so he really has no way of producing right now unless he cheats a bit defensively or the PP starts clicking.
Like you said, his skating will continue to improve. He is 19 until next summer; plenty of time to improve his skating. But for right now, it's an issue.
Regarding his board play, meh, he's undersized, but fights for pucks often enough. You won't ever mistake him for Sid though.