I think Panarin is one of the only times the sky high HFBoards like asking prices are actually being asked by the GM as well. They basically have come out and said this. The reason this is different than other rentals (Karlsson) is that Columbus doesn't actually have to trade Panarin, the benefits of trading him and acquiring assets have to out weigh the benefits of riding him out the rest of the year.
I actually don't think I agree with this approach though. I know the team has never won a round and the city is hungry, but you can't change the past. Going forward you still have Atkinson, Jones, Werenski, Dubois, etc. Plenty of great pieces tbh. Getting a good return on Bob and Panarin can help ensure they are solid in a few years. What good will dying on this hill do when they lose in the first round, lose 2 elite players for nothing, and miss the playoffs regularly in 3 or 4 years with no hope of getting out of mediocrity ?