That annoying trade deadline thing is over. Now Toronto star Mats Sundin is putting the focus of fantasy junkies where it should be – on his production.

(Originally posted at The Hockey News on March 7) 

The Leafs captain is on pace for 87 points, which would be his second-highest production in the blue and white uniform and third highest in his career. Actually, considering his career-high 104 points came with the Quebec Nordiques – also blue and white uniforms – you could accurately say it would be his third-highest total in the blue and white.

That’s shocking, considering he turned 37 last month. After all, this is hockey, not baseball. Athletes in this sport actually decline as they approach their late 30s. And if you think it’s the result of a hot start and he’s only slowing down – think again. Sundin has 11 points in five games since the trade deadline and has not been held off the scoresheet in the seven games since announcing he would not waive his no-trade clause.

Keeper-league owners wonder what the future holds for the pending unrestricted free agent and what the best course of action might be.

It’s hard to imagine Sundin retiring after his third-best season, but it’s even more difficult to see the Leafs giving him a well-deserved raise. My fantasy strategy would have been to deal him to a contender at the deadline and leave the hoping and wondering to someone else, but if you happen to have him on your squad, there aren’t a lot of options now.

You can trade him in the off-season and get very little for him, perhaps not even a good draft pick. Or you can keep him and risk losing him for nothing if he retires, versus coming back and giving you another 80 points next year.

Since 80-point players don’t come along every day, it is best to hold tight and hope for a repeat season next year…

Despite his linemates (Alexei Kovalev and Tomas Plekanec) combining for 17 points in the past four games, Montreal’s Andrei Kostitsyn has just three in that span. It’s a weird quirk that happens sometimes, so the sophomore should snap out of it soon…

If you’re waiting for Montreal rearguard (and sometime winger) Mark Streit to slow down, give up already. The talented 30-year-old Swiss player has 10 points in his past eight games and will flirt with 60 this year. He has been pretty consistent all season and I would expect similar things next campaign…

Since the Sharks acquired defenseman Brian Campbell, the stars of the team have been stepping up. In the five games since Campbell joined the team, Jonathan Cheechoo has five points, while Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski have six points. Campbell has five points himself over that span…

While Vancouver’s top right winger, Markus Naslund, has no points in seven games and is a minus-3, up-and-coming right winger Ryan Shannon has nine in his past 10 and is a plus-7. Shannon was the subject of last Friday’s FPL…

Florida goaltender Craig Anderson has started three straight games and has won them all. He has allowed just three goals in the last 158 shots faced. The Panthers will continue to ride the hot hand and, for the time being, Anderson makes a great pickup in roto leagues.