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

The battle between the NHL and Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie over the ownership of the Phoenix Coyotes has garnered considerable headlines over the past several months and is expected to be resolved by a bankruptcy court judge within the next two weeks.

If the judge rules in favor of Balsillie, who last week increased his bid to an eye-popping $242.5 million – far more than the franchise is worth –it could set in motion a legal challenge by the NHL to prevent him from moving the Coyotes to Hamilton, Ontario either this season or next.

If however the ruling goes in favor of the NHL, the league might be stuck with a money-losing franchise it might be unable to find a new owner for which it might have to eventually consider relocating anyway.

All of this is because the

-The Columbus Blue Jackets have ensured forward Antoine Vermette's tenure with their club will last longer than just this season. 

Acquired by the Blue Jackets from the Ottawa Senators during last March's NHL trade deadline, and eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer, Vermette today signed a five-year, $18.75 million contract extension with the Jackets, which takes effect in 2010-11. 

The new deal will pay Vermette, a versatile two-way forward who can play both center and left wing, $3.75 million per season. 

Vermette was solid in his short time with the Blue Jackets late last season posting 13 points in 17 games although he went scoreless in the Jackets four-game opening round elimination against the Detroit Red Wings. 

Still, Vermette was instantly a

Less than a week after defenseman Jordan Leopold was dealt by the Calgary Flames to the Florida Panthers he’s re-signed with his new team.

The Panthers today announced they’d signed Leopold to a one-year contract worth $1.75 million.

The 28-year-old blueliner was shipped to the Panthers during the NHL 2009 Entry Draft as part of the return for Jay Bouwmeester, who re-signed with the Flames just a day before his eligibility for unrestricted free agency.

Leopold won’t replace what Bouwmeester brought to the Panthers in terms of all-around blueline talent but he is a good second pair defenseman.

One concern is his injury history in recent season but last year he played a full 82 games (83 actually, following his trade in March from the Colorado Avalanche to the Flames)

After losing backup goaltender Craig Anderson to free agency today the Florida Panthers wasted little time in finding a suitable replacement.

Former New Jersey Devils goalie Scott Clemmensen inked a three-year, $3.6 million contract with the Panthers, counting as $1.2 million against their cap per season.

Clemmensen had bounced between the NHL (mainly with the Devils) and the minors for much of his brief career but garnered recognition for his strong performance replacing an injured Martin Brodeur and saving the Devils season.

In forty games last season Clemmensen had a record of 25-13-1, with a .917 save percentage and a 2.39 goals-against average.

It’s been suggested Clemmensen merely benefitted from a solid Devils defense in front of him but that’s selling him short.

Florida Panthers general manager Randy Sexton has had a busy day thus far, for after announcing the re-signing of veteran forward Radek Dvorak the Panthers announced the re-signing of left wing David Booth to a multi-year contract extension.

Booth’s new contract is for six years, $25.5 million, and counts as $4.25 million against the Panthers cap.

The 24-year-old Booth has developed steadily into a quality scoring winger for the Panthers. After netting 22 goals and 40 points in 73 games in 2007-08, Booth had a 31-goal, 60-point performance last season.

A fast physical forward, Booth could become a vital part of what the Panthers front office hopes will be a significantly improved club next season.

This signing pushes the Panthers payroll for next season to over $42 million,