Tripod
I hate this team
First of all, there could be other reasons for that (tax, for instance), but even considering that, it still gives Schenn all the power in the negotiations. All he has to do now is ride out the 1 or 2 year deal he gets out of this, go to arbitration until the flyers lose his rights, and then he gets paid either way. Even if the Flyers just sign him long term after that, he's still going to get more money than he would have this time around assuming his production stays relatively similar over that span.
And what if the Arbitrator gives him a 4 million dollar deal and Philly chooses 1 year, and then Schenn has a bad year next year and gets 45 points. What then? Does he still get more that he would if he signs now? Who knows.
That's the whole point. No one knows how the bridge contracts turn out or if later contracts end up better or worse.
Funny though, if Schenn signed last summer for 5 million people in here would have been having fits. Now, people are praying for it.