No, it is not smart management, and as per your previous comment, I have directed a lot of frustration towards Murray in the past year or so for several moves he's made or didn't make. But if Murray signed him to a bridge deal, it could be a two year bridge deal and then still have his RFA rights to negotiate a longer term deal buying into his UFA years. He wouldn't be able to sign a bridge deal and bounce that easily. That is why RFA contracts are very valuable in the cap era, particularly to smaller market teams
That is not the way I would go, especially with a talent like him, but it is well within Murray's rights as a GM, and probably what he is trying to do, which is why Lindholm is calling it a skambud or whatever. He wants market value, which has been pretty much set in the 5 to 5.5 for 4 to 5 years range, and he will end up getting that I'm sure. That is the fair deal here and I think all Ducks fans would be more than happy to pay that or even a bit more if it meant getting this all settled, but if there is no outside pressure to sign the deal, why not, as a GM, try to use what leverage you have to save as much coin as you can.
Murray has shown he is a tough negotiator in RFA deals, but more than fair in UFA signings/re-signings. He has also shown he is not afraid to dole out 8+ million for top end talent. There is absolutely no reason for Lindholm to think that the grass is greener elsewhere.