Vancouver's Mats Sundin falls to the ice after a collision in front of Blues goalie Manny Legace last year. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)The Carolina Hurricanes on Monday announced a two-way contract for veteran NHL netminder Manny Legace.
The signing comes in the wake of an injury to No. 1 goalie Cam Ward on the weekend. Ward was cut on the leg by the skate of Columbus forward Rick Nash during Saturday night's game.
Ward will be further evaluated on Monday and could be out for a month.
Journeyman backup Michael Leighton has started just one game this season behind Ward, allowing six goals in a loss to Philadelphia.
The 36-year-old Legace has played six games this season with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League.
He tried to land a spot in Atlanta in training camp after losing his No. 1 job in St. Louis last season and then being assigned to the minors.
The Toronto native has appeared in 330 NHL games with the Blues, Detroit and Los Angeles, recording 23 shutouts with a 2.38 goals-against average.
Legace will earn $500,000 US while with Carolina on the one-year deal, and considerably less if sent back to the AHL.
Carolina, which has lost 12 consecutive games, begins a three-game homestand Wednesday against Los Angeles.
