It could be that Bob wants to be here in the absolute worst way, but the CBJ are not making an offer that works ($, term or both, though most likely term). It is likely that Bob gets the contract offer he is looking for (including 7-year term) from at least one if not several teams, but probably not term from CBJ. And taking the assumption as true (that he really would like to stay here), and seeing more clearly every day that staying may not be a possibility because from an economic perspective he's got to take (and will get) 7-year term from someone, ....then he's got to be emotionally upset that it is not going to work. I've seen business partners, the highly successful ones, have this very reaction. They want the sky, the business can only give them half the sky, and they run emotionally hot for a while because they want to stay put, the organization values them, but the organization's needs and the individual's needs don't match up. Bob is emotional - part of what makes him great most times, and probably part of what makes us doubt his ability under pressure (PO or otherwise) at other times. If all of this true (doesn't matter whether it is or isn't), that still doesn't excuse the "inappropriate" behavior last week (whatever it was), but it does explain it. And no matter how "bad" the behavior might have been, yes the relationship would still be recoverable if he and the CBJ want to recover it. But even if both sides can recover the relationship, the length of term on the contract will be an extremely sticky wicket, and one not likely to be resolved in a way that keeps Bob here after the season.
I've not seen a thing in the past (prior to last week) to suggest that Bob is anything but a consummate teammate. Last week: pretty clear was not his finest hour, whatever happened. But that does not eliminate several years of great play and great attitude toward CBJ. It does require some adept handling by management, coach, teammates and Bob to truly clear the air, if they all want that. But even if all come out with a truly honest "Foligno Hug" it still likely means Bob is wearing another team's sweater next season, unless CBJ runs the table and Bob is a big reason for hoisting the Cup - because that would be the only circumstance that I could see FO giving enough term to Bob to economically make sense for him to stay.
On the other hand, if Panarin does not intend to be here after this summer, why wouldn't he be having fun right now, as JP suggests? Not so much Panarin being a good poker player as simply knowing the big payday, in a location that Panarin gets to choose (including possibly here), is right around the corner. In other words, he's in the proverbial catbird's seat. Even if he intends to stay, why not see what $$$ the market might pay him, and then use that to set the price for a contract with CBJ. And the same holds true if he simply doesn't know where he wants to be and just wants to explore the market - he gets to see both $$$ and location options.
To me, it isn't just that Panarin is handling the UFA situation differently (some say better) than Bob, it is that their respective circumstances are vastly different. Bob is at UFA contract #2; he is in a position that carries higher stress, especially come PO's, and pucks are going in the net at highly elevated rate this season, not just as to him, but across the league (in part due to G equipment changes). For Panarin, this is UFA contract #1 -- the world is his oyster. He's in a great spot NO MATTER WHAT HE WANTS (or doesn't want). We can all wish that Bob and Panarin would treat the situation the same - but they are significantly different personalities, with different circumstances.
I'm not suggesting any of the above is factually correct - the various hypotheses suggested are simply a few of virtually hundreds of possible reasons, with many nuances, for what has happened and will happen with regard to Bob's and Panarin's contracts and on-ice performance. And we aren't privy to any of them.
