Flyers' Holmgren: Infection delaying van Riemsdyk's surgery

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said surgery on forward James van Riemsdyk's torn labrum is being delayed because of an infection in JVR's foot.

NBC10's Howard Eskin reported on "Sports Final" on Sunday night that the Flyers are delaying the surgery intentionally, which could be holding up a trade for Columbus star Rick Nash.

Holmgren said the suggestion that the delay was being caused by anything other than the infection is off-base speculation. JVR echoed that point.

"Trades are part of the business," van Riemsdyk said via text. "To suggest that I'd deliberately try to hold one up is an absolute joke."

Acquiring Nash might be difficult for the Flyers, given his salary. Nash signed a 8-year, $62.4 million contract before the 2010 season. His cap hit for next season is $7.8 million. Nash was the subject of multiple trade rumors at the deadline.

The Flyers signed van Riemsdyk to a 6-year, $25.5 million deal before last season. JVR then missed 39 games because of various injuries, including a concussion, and finished with 13 goals and 11 assists. He posted two points in the playoffs in seven games.

Daily News sports writer Frank Seravalli contributed to this report.