'I've Got To Bring (Felix) Back Something': Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Trades Puck For Stuffed Toy In Warmups Against Kraken

It's the second time on Toronto's Western road trip that Matthews has traded for a stuffed animal.

Auston Matthews has a few toys to bring home for his dog, Felix.

On Thursday during warmups in Seattle, Toronto's captain traded a puck for a stuffed animal. "I think that's his second one this trip," Matthews said after practice on Friday in Vancouver.

Toronto's entering the final game of a lengthy road trip that started on Jan. 30. The Maple Leafs have been to Edmonton, Calgary, and Seattle, and will play the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday to close out the trip.

Matthews has six points—all assists—throughout the first three games. Toronto has gone undefeated thus far on the road, defeating all three opponents. After playing Vancouver, the Maple Leafs will return home.

Matthews, however, will be en route to Montreal, where preparations for the 4 Nations Face-Off will begin. He himself doesn't even know when he'll return home, saying on Friday, "Whenever that is, who knows."

Once he returns home, though, his dog will be happy with the goodies brought back.

"It was a nice little gift for him," Matthews said of the stuffed animals he's received on the road. "I figure I've got to bring him back something after being away for so long."

Earlier this season, Toronto's captain spoke with Sportsnet about the nicknames he has for his dog around the house. "I can't even say this out loud," he grinned, before revealing the names.

"I'm so embarrassed saying all this, but I don't even call him by his name. I just call him all of his nicknames and he still responds. His name is Felix, so it has nothing to do with anything.

"I don't know how it just came up. Like, we started calling him Snuffleupagus one day because he's just, like, so fluffy. And it just transitioned. And it's like, it never stopped and now it's completely out of hand. And here I am telling you guys about it."

Matthews was named captain of the Maple Leafs in August, taking over for John Tavares who became Toronto's captain in Oct. 2019. Matthews has 20 goals and 24 assists for 44 points in 39 games this season.