Every Blackhawks game will be on television next season, the United Center figures to be packed more nights than not, Pat Foley is returning, and all indications point to the NHL's next outdoor game coming to Chicago.

These are positive changes for a franchise all but left for dead a few years ago. But what matters most now is what happens on the ice, which is why Hawks general manager Dale Tallon must deliver in a big way starting Tuesday when the free agent signing period begins.

No more news conferences for the marketing department. The next one must be called for a significant player acquisition.

The Hawks still need to get a lot better if they hope to make the playoffs, and it would be a huge disappointment if Tallon fails to land one of the difference makers on the market.

The belief is the Hawks will seriously pursue defenseman Brian Campbell and left wing Marian Hossa. That's the good news. The bad news is there's a long list of teams that also want them.

Campbell, the big, puck-moving defenseman the Hawks so desperately need, might re-sign with the San Jose Sharks. If not, there are reports he would prefer to play with an East Coast team for personal reasons. If Campbell gets to Tuesday unsigned, it's expected Boston, the New York Rangers and possibly Ottawa would be waiting with open checkbooks.

It could cost as much as $8 million a year to get Campbell, which begs the question: Why was there that lockout again? Hossa might be looking at $8 million as well after turning down a reported seven-year, $49 million offer from Pittsburgh.

Will the Hawks pay what it costs to get a Campbell or a Hossa, or will there be cold feet in the front office at decision time? With Rocky Wirtz and John McDonough controlling the purse strings instead of Bill Wirtz and Bob Pulford, perhaps things will be different and the Hawks will start acting more like a major market team and not one watching every nickel and dime.

Would Campbell or Hossa even consider the Hawks? This is going to be the biggest of tests as to how the perception of the franchise has changed. Yes the Hawks are improved and seemingly on the way up with a good buzz around them, but when push comes to shove and dotted lines need to be signed, will the best free agents want to be part of what's happening here or will they go to teams with a history of spending and being competitive?

Tallon believes Chicago is now a destination for top players. We should know by this time next week because the top free agents normally don't remain available for more than a day or two.

The Hawks have money to spend, and with $16.75 million coming off the books after next season when the contracts of Nikolai Khabibulin, Martin Havlat and Robert Lang expire, there is the potential to be creative with new deals, perhaps backloading them.

Campbell and Hossa aren't the only free agents out there that could help the Hawks, although they are the best.

Among defensemen, Wade Redden, Mark Streit, John-Micheal Liles, Ron Hainsey, Brooks Orpik and Michael Rozsival are available, although it's believed the Hawks are lukewarm to Redden or Liles.

Streit had 62 points for the Canadiens last season and might be a good addition if Campbell goes elsewhere.

After Hossa at forward, there's Ryan Malone, Brian Rolston, Pavol Demitra, Jaromir Jagr, Peter Forsberg, Markus Naslund, Sean Avery and Kristian Huselius for consideration.

It's Tallon's show now. Time to make something happen.

tsassone@dailyherald.com