Western conference. (NHL Grading The Trades).(trading of hockey players, National Hockey League)

Central Division

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS: G.M. Mike Smith didn't deal pending unrestricted free agent RW Tony Amonte, but he did a good job of filling holes. He traded for Predators captain and RW Tom Fitzgerald for depth. Then he shipped D Jaroslav Spacek and a high pick to Columbus for its captain, D Lyle Odelein. Fitzgerald and Odelein will bring toughness and experience, which are invaluable in the playoffs. Odelein was on a Stanley Cup winner with Montreal in 1993, and Fitzgerald went to the finals with Florida in '96. These moves all but wrap up fourth spot in the conference for Chicago. TRADE GRADE: B+

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS: Plenty of veterans--G Ron Tugnutt, C Mike Sillinger and LW Ray Whitney--were on the radar screens of playoffs-bound teams around the league, but none of the contenders made serious offers. Chicago gave the Jackets D Jaroslav Spacek and a high pick for D Lyle Odelein. The Blue Jackets also traded RW Blake Sloan to Calgary for D Jamie Allison, exchanging forward grit for blueline grit. Allison will be counted on to replace a little of Odelein's toughness, and Spacek will provide more offense than Odelein. TRADE GRADE: B-

DETROIT RED WINGS: The Penguins wanted two players off the roster for D Darius Kasparaitis, and you know they wanted C Pavel Datsyuk to be one of them. The Wings didn't want to give up a prospect with such a good upside, so they instead acquired D Jiri Slegr, sending the Thrashers a minor leaguer and a draft pick. Slegr will be a good fourth or fifth defensemen, but he's not the impact player the Wings needed for their blue line. TRAH GRADE: C-

NASHVILLE PREDATORS: Nashville was in a selling mode, shipping No. 1 F Cliff Ronning to Los Angeles and RW Tom Fitzgerald to Chicago. While plenty of teams were interested in prying away G Mike Dunham, the Predators demanded more for their franchise goalie than a couple of soon-to-be free agents, which was the going offer. They got D Jere Karalahti (6-1, 210) in the Ronning deal, and he will add much-needed size to the small, puck-moving defense. TRADE GRADE: B-

ST. LOUIS BLUES: Among others, G Mike Richter, C Robert Lang and C Joe Nieuwendyk were all on their way to St. Louis at various points. But with few prospects to offer, the Blues got only veteran C Ray Ferraro from Atlanta for a draft pick. He'll help fill in at center while C Doug Weight recovers from a sprained knee and a hip injury. Ferraro should help get the Blues into the playoffs. However, not getting a premium goaltender, which the Blues have needed since training camp, means this team will have a short postseason. TRADE GRADE: C- -D.W. and P.G.

Northwest Division