Flyers alumni may face Putin on exhibition trip to Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin would like a taste of the Philadelphia Flyers, apparently.

Flyers alumni are set to visit Russia next week, and according to former defenseman Joe Watson, who's spearheading the trip, Putin will suit up for the Russians - should his schedule permit.

"They never release Putin's schedule until 24 hours before because of security reasons, so Putin, if he's around, he wants to play the game against us," Watson said, writes the Courier-Post's Dave Isaac.

Watson's team is comprised of nine former Flyers and his nephews, and should Putin be in the Russian lineup, he won't get any preferential treatment.

"He'll have to earn it from us as far as we're concerned," Watson said. "We may be stuck in Siberia, but what the hell? We'll have a good time."

The trip includes an outdoor game on Moscow's Red Square.

A number of Flyers alumni turned down Watson's request to join the trip due to political tension between the U.S. and Russia.

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