NHL enforcer Steve MacIntyre is returning to the team which signed him to his current contract. 

The Florida Panthers claimed MacIntyre off waivers yesterday from the Edmonton Oilers, who claimed him off waivers from the Panthers last September when they attempted to send him to the minors. 

MacIntyre, 29, played in only 22 games for the Oilers last season as a broken orbital bone sidelined him for a significant period, but in that short span his aggressive physical style and willingness to drop the gloves made him popular with Oilers fans, who nicknamed him "SmackIntyre". 

Under new head coach Pat Quinn however MacIntyre was unable to earn a regular roster spot, appearing in only four games. 

His spot with the Panthers, who signed him to a two-year contract back in the summer of 2008, is still not fully assured. Management intends to send him to the minors to earn some playing time so it's possible he might have to pass through waivers again as it's not clear if he's missed enough playing time to be eligible for demotion for conditioning, meaning he wouldn't have to clear waivers.