By Spike Eskin

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – James Van Riemsdyk‘s name was the subject of trade rumors last season until a broken bone in his foot forced him to miss the end of the regular season and part of the playoffs. Now, a different injury could be keeping him from being traded again.

94WIP’s Howard Eskin is reporting that Van Riemsdyk is delaying surgery on a torn labrum, and that delay is making it difficult for the Flyers to complete a trade that includes the 23 year-old left wing. Eskin reports that the Flyers are interested in trading for Columbus forward Rick Nash, but would be unable to do so until Van Riemsdky has surgery to repair the labral tear.

Eskin reports that some in the Flyers organization think that Van Riemsdyk is intentionally delaying surgery to prevent being traded, and that general manager Paul Holmgren is “furious” that he has not had the operation.

Holmgren denied the report. In an email to Comcast Sportsnet he stated, “James surgery has been delayed due to an infection in his foot. Any of this other speculation is way off base.”

Van Riemsdyk was the Flyers’ first pick in the 2007 draft (2nd overall) and has spent three seasons with the team.