The Vegas Golden Knights acquired veteran goaltender Robin Lehner from the Chicago Blackhawks in the final hour before the NHL trade deadline on Monday, according to multiple reports.

As the deadline hit at 3 p.m. ET, Chicago's return for Lehner was not immediately clear.

Though the teams had yet to confirm the trade, Lehner thanked Blackhawks fans on Twitter and wrote that he was really excited to join Vegas.

Thank you Chicago. What a great city. Fans were unbelievable and I'm not going to forget the short time there. I believe in this team and still do. Great teammates! gonna miss all of you. The city and guys deserve the best. ?was born in Chicago.

— Robin Lehner (@RobinLehner) February 24, 2020

Really exited to join Vegas. Going to be a ride. Can't wait to get there but please no drums at the airport I'm shy...

— Robin Lehner (@RobinLehner) February 24, 2020

Lehner has been a bright spot for the Blackhawks this season, going 16-10-5 with a 3.01 goals-against average and .918 save percentage. But when combined with teammate Corey Crawford's 11-17-3 record (2.80 GAA, .915 save percentage), Chicago is in last place in the Central Division and facing a third straight season without playoff hockey.

Lehner, 28, signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Blackhawks during the offseason, after a career-resurrecting campaign with the New York Islanders in 2018-19, when he was a Vezina Trophy finalist.

He also won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication; he has spoken about seeking treatment for his mental health and substance abuse after his issues came to a head during his last season in Buffalo, 2017-18.

Lehner will pair up with Vegas starter Marc-Andre Fleury as the Golden Knights gear up for a third straight postseason appearance. With 76 points, Vegas is in first place in the Pacific Division.

Also Monday, the Knights acquired forward Nick Cousins from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2021 draft.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Time might be running out, but Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones remains confident a long-term deal can be worked out with quarterback Dak Prescott before the organization will need to use the franchise tag.

Jones said there are no talks scheduled with Prescott's agent Todd France, but the team intends to meet with him at some point this week during the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.

Jones said there is no scenario in which the Cowboys would move on from Prescott in 2020.

"I mean, Dak's our quarterback. He's our quarterback for the future and we have nothing but the greatest respect for him," Jones said. "He's a competitor. He's won a lot of football games for us. Obviously, he, like us, we all want to take that next step and get into a championship game and get to the big game and ultimately win a championship. So there's no thoughts like that."

Jones acknowledged the sides have not spoken since September when the Cowboys thought they were closing in on an agreement that would have made Prescott among the top-five paid quarterbacks in the NFL.

"It just kind of stopped. We kind of left it where it was," Jones said. "I wouldn't say there was anything acrimonious. They felt they were done where they were. We felt like we were kind of where we were and we never really got going again."

Despite the inactivity, Jones believes a deal can be consummated before March 12, the final date in which the club can use the franchise tag. That is two days later than the original deadline because of the ongoing discussions with the NFL and the NFL Players Association on a new collective bargaining agreement. Jones said there are "a lot of moving parts," that go into negotiations when it is the final year of the CBA. With a new CBA, the Cowboys would lose the chance to use the franchise and transition tag but it would ease up some of the issues in getting a long-term deal completed.

Jones would not get into whether the Cowboys would use the non-exclusive franchise tag, which would cost $27 million but allow Prescott to shop the market, or exclusive tag, which would cost $33 million and prevent teams from signing him.

"I just don't think we've had our hands around what the next steps are," Jones said. "Obviously we didn't end up getting it done because they were pretty entrenched with their thoughts and we were pretty entrenched with our thoughts. I think really that's the facts of the world we work. Certainly we've done a lot of thinking about it and looking at it and we'll see where it ends up."

Prescott is not the only high-profile free agent the Cowboys want to re-sign. Wide receiver Amari Cooper, cornerback Byron Jones and defensive end Robert Quinn are also set to be free agents. Without a CBA extension, the Cowboys could theoretically use the franchise tag on Prescott and transition tag on Cooper. If there's a new CBA, then they would only be able to use one tag, thus making it more likely Cooper, Jones or Quinn could hit the market.

"We haven't gone into any details with players since the end of the season. We are really wanting to see where the CBA is," Jones said. "The way I look at these contracts, the two we are talking about (Prescott and Cooper), when things get momentum they can happen in 24 hours. It's a just a matter of can you get some traction and headed in the right direction."

Indiana Pacers guard Jeremy Lamb needs surgery on his injured knee and will miss the remainder of the season.

The Pacers announced Monday that Lamb has a torn ACL, a torn lateral meniscus and a fracture in his left knee.

Lamb suffered the injury in Sunday's loss to the Toronto Raptors. Initial X-rays on his knee were negative, and Lamb told reporters after the game that he hoped the injury wasn't "too serious."

The Pacers have not determined a specific date for Lamb's surgery.

Lamb, 27, averaged 12.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in 46 games this season, his first with the Pacers.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Diamondbacks knew Madison Bumgarner lives on a ranch but were unaware of his recently revealed side career as a rodeo participant.

Bumgarner has been competing in rodeo events under the alias "Mason Saunders" and won $26,560 in a team-roping competition in December, he confirmed to The Athletic on Sunday.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Valerie Thompson is returning to Lake Gairdner Australia to attempt new speed records on four wheels, piloting the Treit & Davenport Target 550 Streamliner at two premier land speed racing events.

Her goals include breaking multiple records, including the 415.867-mph class record for a four-wheel, blown-fuel streamliner powered by a piston engine.

Hosted by Dry Lakes Racers Australia, the 30th annual Speed Week competition is held March 23-27. Immediately following Speed Week, the team will also attempt new records at the second annual World Speed Trials March 28-30.

Speed Week records are determined by DLRA specifications, while the World Speed Trials records are sanctioned by Federation Internationale de l’Automobile rules.

The 43-foot long Target 550 Streamliner features a unique wind-tunnel-inspired design powered by two supercharged Dodge Hemi engines capable of generating 5000 horsepower on alcohol fuel.

“The team is delighted to be back in Australia for Speed Week and the World Speed Trials. These events provide two opportunities to set new records for our unique vehicle,” said Target 550 project coordinator Marlo Treit.

“We have new crew members, two new engines and a great new driver. I’m looking forward to seeing strong results with all this new talent,” Treit added.

Thompson set a motorcycle streamliner record of 328.467 mph during the 2018 Speed Week competition, earning her membership in the DLRA 200 and 300 MPH Clubs.

She was also honored with the “Fast Lady on the Lake” award.

“This will be my first full-on assault on the 415 mph record driving the Target 550 Streamliner. I’ve had three successful tests with a 290-plus mph run on less than optimal salt conditions,” said Thompson.

Thompson is hoping to become the first woman to surpass 400 mph in a piston-powered engine vehicle.

SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. — With the dust barely settled from the 2020 edition of the Keyser Manufacturing Wild West Shootout presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts at FK Rod Ends Arizona Speedway, officials are already busy planning for 2021.

In fact, the dates for the mega miniseries have been set for Jan. 9, 10, 13, 15, 16 and 17, 2021 at the three-eighths-mile oval located just outside of Phoenix.

“We had a banner event in 2020 with great racing, great fans, and great sponsors. With so much great support and momentum, we’re now focused on the 2021 Keyser Manufacturing Wild West Shootout,” said event promoter Chris Kearns. “Even though we are roughly 11 months away from next year’s event, I’ve been hearing from countless fans and racers, who are already making plans to join us next year.

“These are exciting times for our whole staff, and we’re working on making the 2021 edition the biggest and best yet.

Over $200,000 in prize money will be on the line during the 15th Annual Keyser Manufacturing Wild West Shootout presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts.

The event includes six complete programs for three divisions.

Each night will find the Dirt Track Bank Super Late Models presented by Black Diamond Race Cars, Mesilla Valley Transportation/Border Tire Modifieds presented by Arizona Differential and RHRSwag.com X-Mods presented by Barnett Harley Davidson in action.

Additionally, an open practice session is slated for both Jan. 8 and Jan. 12.

Last but not least, each division will compete for a mini series points championship and accompanying point fund.

“It’s cool to see how families are starting to make this an annual racing vacation. There’s so much to see and do in the great Phoenix area and typically the weather is fantastic,” Kearns continued. “The event is truly a homecoming for fans and drivers from across North America, and we couldn’t be more appreciative of all of the support that we get.”

HARTFORD, Ohio – Justin Snyder’s Salute to the Troops program, an event honoring one of open wheel racing’s most loyal and dedicated supporters – the late Justin Snyder – will be held outside of Pennsylvania for the first time this year.

The event, which also benefits the Wounded Warrior Project, a charity and veterans service organization that offers a variety of benefits for wounded veterans of the military actions following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, will be held at Sharon Speedway on July 12, one day after the Lou Blaney Memorial on July 11.

Both races will be sanctioned by the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 and each race will pay $6,000 to the winner.

“After four successful years in Central PA, we are extremely excited to bring Justin Snyder’s Salute to the Troops race back home to Sharon Speedway,” said Derek Snyder, older brother of the late Justin Snyder and the Executive Manager & Partner of Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC. “My family’s passion for racing began at Sharon Speedway. My earliest memories are my brother and I attending our father’s company picnic hosted at Sharon Speedway during the Sharon Nationals, then camping out with our aunts, uncles, and cousins in the parking lot. Our father supported the track with pace cars and sponsorships clear back to the mid-80’s. Snyder Pontiac Buick GMC Cadillac also sponsored Lou Blaney for several years. So, having the privilege to host Justin’s race the same weekend as the Lou Blaney Memorial is an incredible honor.”

Justin Snyder’s Salute to the Troops program was hosted at BAPS Motor Speedway in York Haven, Pa., during its first four editions before making the switch to Sharon Speedway. The All Star Circuit of Champions sanctioned editions two through four with Gerard McIntrye Jr. winning the most recent contest in 2019.

Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart won the event title in 2018, with the late Greg Hodnett winning the first Salute to the Troops event with All Star involvement in 2017. Danny Dietrich earned the inaugural, unsanctioned event victory in 2016.

“It just seemed very fitting for me to keep this going by bringing the race to Sharon Speedway. This is something I believe my brother would be incredibly proud of,” Derek Snyder continued. “I’m so grateful for our family’s relationship with Lou and Kate Blaney over the years. I wanted to be certain that I had Kate’s blessing prior to even considering this move and date. Thankfully, she obliged and here we are. I want to thank Jared of the All Stars for the Series’ support, as well. This race has really taken on a life of its own, especially when you look at the past winners including Danny Dietrich, Greg Hodnett, Tony Stewart, and Gerard McIntyre, Jr. I encourage all of our friends and family, including our Central PA racing family, to join us in keeping Justin’s memory alive as we honor our nation’s bravest.”

SEATTLE — When NHRA introduced the Pro Stock class 50 years ago, automaker loyalty stirred a keen rivalry.

The leaders of the class were men who hauled their cars to the races, worked on them from stem to stern, competed in them and developed relationships on their own for a few sponsorship dollars.

They were one-man bands, these racers, and the ones who shaped the class — Herb McCandless, Ronnie Sox, Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins, Bob Glidden, Dick Landy, Warren Johnson, “Dyno Don” Nicholson, Lee Shepherd and Frank Iaconio.

By 2010, money had transformed the landscape. And as the decade came to a close two months ago, a curious phenomenon had entrenched itself. Chevrolet had begun to dominate on the manufacturers’ side and team conglomerates had become the rage.

Gray Motorsports, KB Racing and Elite Performance didn’t necessarily control policy, but they certainly led in the engine-program category. They had multiple drivers and supplementary customers under their tech-development and data-sharing umbrellas.

As the sanctioning body prepares to throw a yearlong 50th birthday bash for the Pro Stock class, Elite Performance’s Richard Freeman has emerged as the power broker. Many credit him for saving the class, which NHRA has thrown costly and constant changes at during the past several years.

Freeman used his Oklahoma common-sense approach to herd the highly opinionated, innately independent team owners into a united front to negotiate with the sanctioning body from a position of strength. What resulted was a compromise that preserved the class’ 16-car fields, settled on a shortened schedule that works for most, recognized the Pro Stock’s right to increased TV exposure and reduced costs.

Freeman’s unapologetic opinions often are positive and encouraging, and his drivers — dominator Erica Enders, icon Jeg Coughlin, energetic Alex Laughlin, second-generation star Aaron Stanfield and newcomers Brandon Foster and Marty Robertson — love him. But if someone doesn’t want to hear Freeman’s authentic attitudes, they shouldn’t have a conversation with him in the first place.

Freeman has been known to administer a digital knuckle sandwich to a rival, texting him and calling him “dumb-ass” and an “idiot.” And Freeman once referred to someone in the racing community he doesn’t particularly care for as “a bucket of poop.”

He didn’t have much good to say about the state of the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes, either: “Don’t get me started on Top Fuel and Funny Car. I love the classes. It was always, ‘Oh, what are we going to do with Pro Stock? They’re in trouble.’ Well, there ain’t nothing in more trouble than those two classes right there.”

And even though he fielded three Pro Modified entries last season and still has standout Steve Matusek in his Elite camp, Freeman isn’t all that keen on the popular class.

“They want that class to be a pro class and it never will be,” Freeman said. “The reason I don’t necessarily like it is there’s too many variables in that class. There are too many obstacles. One thing I don’t like about it is the harder you work to make your stuff fast, the more you’re going to get kicked in the nuts. So it’s not appealing to me at all. That thing is in grave danger because those who spend the money are going to win.

“Pro Stock is just my place. I’ve invested all my money there, so I’m going to spend my time right there.”

Opinionated? Certainly. Abrasive? Maybe. But Freeman solves problems.

His ability to do that is what allows him to be, as Coughlin described, “a man who wears many, many hats — from being in the oil business to the car business to the used-parts business to managing race teams. He tries to surround himself with good, intelligent people he can trust and empower. That’s how he has built such a powerful team.”

Freeman’s team finished first and second in the standings last year, and with Enders, has recorded three series titles in six years.

“I don’t think I saved it,” Freeman said of the Pro Stock class. “I think what I did do was changed the course of how it had been done for many years. The reason that Pro Stock was in the situation that it was — and I don’t think it was in a bad situation — but the reason the fields had gotten shorter is people couldn’t afford to have their own engine. It wasn’t the money.

“They couldn’t afford to fight because they couldn’t get what we had,” he added. “And that’s not the way that class was intended to be. That’s where it transformed to. Now we’ve made parts and resources available.

“We worked really hard to preserve our class. And it’s as strong today as it’s been in years,” Freeman added. “The sanctioning body, they’re trying to run it like a business. They failed miserably, OK? But I believe that (NHRA President) Glen Cromwell and his team are trying. They’re trying to change the course of something that’s been going a direction for many, many years.

“Our sport has a great chance to regain a lot of power. NASCAR is struggling. Drag racing’s something that ain’t going nowhere, for sure. It’s not run by the media. It’s supported by wealthy people,” Freeman continued. “They choose to spend their money on their race cars and they’re going to race. It’s that simple.

“All I can do is worry about mine. And more than likely, we’ll probably win some Pro Stock races. That’s what I like.”

And if Richard Freeman is satisfied, the Pro Stock class is happy.