Western conference. (NHL).

Central Division

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS: G.M. Mike Smith wants to sign a few free agents, but he first needs to sign a contact himself (his deal expires June 30). Captain RW Tony Amonte is all but gone, but his departure would free up money to sign RW Teemu Selanne. Goaltending was a problem in the playoffs, so expect Smith to try to lure Curtis Joseph into the fold. Joseph was signed by Toronto when Smith was running the Maple Leafs. Restricted: LW Kyle Calder, D Boris Mironov, G Steve Passmore. Unrestricted: Amonte, RW Tom Fitzgerald, LW Bob Probert, LW Steve Thomas.

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS: G.M. Doug MacLean wants his club to be more offensive-minded. And he wants to sign up to three unrestricted free agents, including a defenseman and a big winger. D Jamie Heward has a contract to play in Switzerland but will remain in the league if another team makes him a good offer. Restricted: C Serge Aubin, G Marc Denis, D Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre, RW Grant Marshall, D Deron Quint, RW Geoff Sanderson, D Mats Timander, C Espen Knutsen, RW David Vyborny. Unrestricted: RW Kevin Dineen, D Heward.

DETROIT RED WINGS: The team always is active in the free-agent market. G.M. Ken Holland has big decisions to make about the blue line; four of his defensemen are unrestricted free agents, including Chris Chelios. Many of Holland's offseason moves will depend on whether coach Scotty Bowman returns. If G Dominik Hasek retires, expect Holland to make a strong pitch for Curtis Joseph. Restricted: D Mathieu Dandenault D Jiri Fischer, G Manny Legace, RW Darren McCarty, D Jesse Wallin. Unrestricted: Chelios, D Uwe Krupp, C Igor Larionov, D Fredrik Olausson, D Jiri Slegr.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS: The team is losing money. Now owner Craig Leipold has pledged that his franchise will make the playoffs next season or fans will get a ticket rebate. It's time for G.M. David Poile to add veteran talent to his inexperienced team through free agency. Restricted: D Andy Delmore, D Cale Hulas, G Jan Lasak, C David Legwand. Unrestricted: none.

ST. LOUIS BLUES: Does G.M. Larry Pleau keep adding to his already large payroll by bringing in high-priced free agents Teemu Selanne, Bill Guerin, Tony Amonte or Bobby Holik? Owner Bill Laurie wants the payroll to stay the same. However, the team needs a winger or two to play with Doug Weight and a goalie. LW Keith Tkachuk, RW Scott Young and D Jeff Finley want to stay. Restricted: G Fred Brathwaite, D Alexander Khavanov, RW Jamal Mayers, LW Cory Stillman, Tkachuk. Unrestricted: D Marc Bergevin, C Ray Ferraro, Finley, Young.

Northwest Division