One thing, and this is definitely not a lock to happen but not unlikely either, and that is that Gallant and many other coaches like to have “one” line that gets a lot of freedom and three lines that plays much more in straight lines, which is our case means playing Panarin on the same line as Zib.
There are pros and cons, but the upside is that you just get more pace to the game. One line get a lot of PP time, when they hit the ice 5 on 5 it’s to score, and the other 3 lines can really focus on playing with a ton of speed and energy. One guy don’t have one role one shift and another role the next.
So I definitely wouldn’t rule out Panarin playing on the same line as Ziba next season, especially if we can get a center that makes sense and is capable in a checking line role against top line (Gourde for example).
And I mean, think about it. A line with Ziba on it is never going to play with tremendous tempo and more in straight lines, and neither is a line with Panarin on it. These two plays 60% of our 5 on 5 hockey. You will always be more of a E-W team with them on separate lines. But put them on the same line, you instantly get a different look as a team.
Gallant had the same approach in Florida when he put the big guns together, wasn’t it Hub-Barkov-Jagr? Jagr loved Gallant. He never handcuffed him or his line. They delivered. But the three other lines, they played a feisty style.
