Joe Nieuwendyk 49th in Hockey News’ list of power and influence

The Hockey News has released its list of the 100 People of Power and Influence in the sport, and Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk was ranked 49^th.

Here’s what THN said about Nieuwendyk, who ranked 22^nd last year:

“Nieuwendyk, 46 and the Stars GM since 2009, hasn’t had the smooth road to success in Dallas he enjoyed as a Hall of Fame player. But, armed with the financial wherewithal of owner Tom Gaglardi, he built a veteran, skilled team and his word is highly respected in league circles.”

Nieuwendyk was the sixth highest ranked general manager on this year’s list. Brian Burke, recently fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs, was the highest ranked. Detroit’s Ken Holland was second.

The top ten people of power and influence in hockey consisted of:

1. Donald Fehr, NHLPA executive director
2. Gary Bettman, NHL commissioner
3. Bill Daly, NHL deputy commissioner
4. Steve Fehr, NHLPA special counsel
5. Jeremy Jacobs, Boston Bruins owner
6. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins center
7. Murray Edwards, Calgary Flames co-owner
8. John Collins, NHL chief operating officer
9. Brendan Shanahan, NHL senior VP of player safety
10. Ed Snider, Philadelphia Flyers owner

Stars players continue to arrive

More players continue to arrive in Frisco and skate in preparation for training camp. Defenseman Aaron Rome, who signed as a free agent in July, skated for the first time on Thursday. Forward Tom Wandell was back on the ice Friday.

Wandell played in Russia during the lockout, suiting up for Severstal Cherepovets of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

“It was good,” Wandell said. “Good hockey when the NHL is not playing. That is the second best league. And then there were locked out players there, (Evgeni) Malkin, (Ilya) Kovalchuk, so it gets really going even more.”

Wandell registered 9 points (2 goals, 7 assists) in 26 games, logging 17:29 of ice time per game. He ranked second on his team in faceoffs, winning 53.6 percent.

Jagr’s first skate delayed

Jaromir Jagr’s first skate with the Dallas Stars didn’t happen as expected Friday morning. Jagr got into Dallas late Thursday from Czech Republic and was unable to make it to the Stars’ practice facility for the morning skate with players.