The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs field is down to the final four. The Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers face off in a rematch of the 2023 Eastern Conference finals, while the Western Conference finals are a return bout from 2024 between the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers.

Now that the schedule is out, it's time to find out where the Panthers fit compared to the competition ths year.

Wideout Tetairoa McMillan, the eighth overall selection of the 2025 NFL draft, received some positive reviews throughout last week's rookie minicamp. Among those who came away impressed with the 6-foot-4, 219-pound pass catcher was Panthers receivers coach Rob Moore.

The Panthers are back in prime time (Monday Night Football) after being left out in 2024. They're also in line, with the league's fifth-easiest schedule, to potentially be a contender in the weak NFC South if they can get off to a winning start for only the second time in the past six seasons.

On paper, the Carolina Panthers have the look of a team that could sneak up on some people and perhaps push for the NFC South title in 2025. They still have a l

ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler dropped some key intel from the aftermath of the 2025 draft on Wednesday. He began his blurb on the Panthers with Walker, who was perceived to be the overwhelming favorite for the team's first-round pick nearly two weeks ago.

The Carolina Panthers placed Jonathon Brooks on the PUP list, meaning he will miss the 2025 season with his ACL injury.

Carolina's young signal caller will only modestly improve his numbers this season, according to Mike Clay's annual projections.