The only issue with Bouchard from what I have heard, is work ethic. Guy has the skill to be a #1 but needs to be more committed to the game.
Hopefully he learns from the off season that Bear had.
I've heard the opposite.
Works very hard on and off the ice. Very intense win and work type and in the gym a lot.
Slightly below average in the defensive zone. As a comparison still better than Jones at similar points of their careers. As others mentioned needs more urgency. A bit like Schultz in that way although again better from what I've seen/read.
Average skating with a first step that needs work.
Everything that I've read heavily suggest his "problem" areas are the kind that "should" be able to be improved upon, have been improved upon, and he is more than willing to continue to work on.
A guy like Bear has one great offseason and it elevates his game to a legit 3/4 level defender. If Bear can continue with that level of commitment the sky is the limit. Bouchard is significantly better than Bear in many ways. If he works hard and smart with "similar" results to Bear he has a chance to be legit #1 top 10 defender some day... Likely not for many years.
All speculation at this point. Every prospect/player is so different and their development so varied it's impossible to predict.
Carlson is the player that always comes to mind as a comparison for me for some reason. Not sure if it truly a good comparison but it's the one that does. Carlson, similar size, similiar development, similar stats to date, was always good but had his flaws... didn't become elite until 25 and was having a full fledged Norris caliber year this year at age 30. His play this year borderline historical.
I'm not suggesting Bouchard will be that good but it is a possibility. Far more reasons to be positive about this players future than pessimistic.
Still surprised he dropped to 10.