As bad a sophomore slump as Sean Couturier had this past season, that was no excuse to sign early as an RFA.

Sure, RFAs have little leverage but his agent did him no favors on a two-year, $3.5 million extension with a modest bump in salary of $400,000.

All this has achieved is that it makes Couturier that much more attractive in a trade and the FLyers will go into next season with the same, two players as potential trade bait if this summer's grand moves don't pan out - Couturier and Brayden Schenn.

Some people call this deal a "bridge" deal to the next one but I look at it as general manager Paul Holmgren being uncertain in his own mind as to what kind of player he has in Couturier and what is future value is.

Is he going to be a two-way centerman much like Mike Richards was here? Will he regain the offensive touch he had as a rookie? Will he be an offensive threat on the penalty kill to get shorthanded goals?

This is a contract that heavily favors the Flyers - not the player. Which is why he should not have signed it. Last I looked, Gilles Lupien was his agent.

A lot of NHLers had bad lockout-shortened seasons, besides Couturier. This coming season is one of judge by.

Which is why Couturier should have allowed things to ride and see what kind of year he has then re-sign next summer.

So what was the real hurry? I often think players feel that if they re-sign it's a guarantee they are committing to remain with the team.

Given the widespread interest around the NHL in Couturier, this is a case where re-signing for a number that I predict will ultimately see him as undervalued, only enhances the prospects that he becomes a prime trade target.

Who wouldn't want a 20-year-old for a salary of less than $2 million a year with three more years to give some team before his next deal?

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