Manny Legace is one of the good guys in the NHL. So Hockey Guy is happy that he landed in Carolina to help fill-in for goaltender Cam Ward, who could miss at least a month due to a leg laceration.

Legace played admirably for Peoria of the AHL after getting shipped out last season. The Thrashers took a look at him in training camp, but opted not to sign him.

He landed with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL, playing with Chris Chelios. Now he’ll help Michael Leighton get through the loss of Ward, which came as the team continued its baffling free fall.

“It’s too good of a team to be struggling,” Legace told the Raleigh News & Observer after his first practice. “You look at the team, you look at the way they played last year, it’s just bounces. You see some highlights and just weird stuff is happening.

“But if they keep working as hard as they did out there today, it’s going to turn. That’s all it takes is hard work . . .  to make your own luck again.”

Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice is glad to get another a veteran goaltender to help fill the void. Legace signed a two-way contract, paying him $500,000 in Carolina and $105,000 if he gets shipped back to the AHL.

AROUND THE RINKS: Life for the Blues doesn’t get any easier. They return Tuesday night to face Vancouver, and Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo hopes to be ready for that game . . . Look for the Blackhawks to get a large lift from the return of center Jonathan Toews, who has finally gotten clear of his post-concussion syndrome . . . The Rangers didn’t need to lose centers Brandon Dubinsky (broken hand) and Chris Drury (concussion) to injuries against Calgary . . . The Sharks are hitting stride — and now they are getting Joe Pavelski and Devin Setoguchi back . . .  Alexander Ovechkin was just kidding when he told a fan his “upper body injury” could sideline him for several weeks . . . Peter Forsberg seems ready to make still another NHL comeback, news that has several contenders on red alert. He finally feels recovered from his chronic injuries . . . Why is goaltender Jarolslav Halak (5-2, 2.85 goals-against average) playing behind Carey Price in Montreal? Halak’s agent, Allan Walsh, expressed some dismay over that via Twitter, which worked up Canadiens fans . . . Looking to add more punch, the Sabres may sign unsigned free agent Miroslav Satan.