+/- is a team stat, Bedard plays on the top line and gets the toughest assignments. He is ok on D, better than Cooley, I have watched some Hawks games and going to a few this month. Agreed, 5 on 5, this kid is the next McDavid it looks like. It takes time for skill players to have more complete games, or they get exposed in the NHL, they don't as much in juniors.
I think playing on the 4th line has taken some pressure off of Cooley, he gets easier assignments on D but can still be on our PP. As his D play improves, Bear will trust him more and move him up in the line up 5 on 5, I think that happens this year.