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5 players rebounding from poor 2015-16 campaigns

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters / USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

The 2015-16 campaign wasn't very kind to many of the NHL's most experienced point producers.

Many marveled as several stars failed to replicate the success that had made them such high-profile players in the league. Some slumps left many with doubts as to whether the careers of once great players might be coming to a close.

Rejoice, as it appears that is not the case with these five players, who have turned back the clocks and found what once seemed lost.

Marian Hossa

Hossa needs just three more goals to match his total from last season.

After two straight seasons of 60-plus points, Hossa's numbers took a dip last season with the 37-year-old scoring just 13 goals and a measly 33 points in 64 games.

It's quite easy to see where Hossa went wrong last year. The veteran managed to capitalize on just 6.8 percent of his shots, down from his career shooting percentage of 12.4 percent.

This year, he is connecting at a career-high level, nearly 24 percent. It's likely unsustainable, but, nevertheless, expect Hossa to return to the 60-plus point plateau once again.

Jakub Voracek

Two years ago, Voracek looked as though he might claim the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer. So what happened last season?

After a career-high 81 points in 82 games during the 2014-15 campaign, Voracek managed 55 points last season, including just 11 goals. Sure, 55 is not terrible by any stretch, but a regression of 26 points is certainly a head-scratcher.

The drop in production came in Voracek's first season of his new eight-year, $66-million contract. Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall has gone on record saying he feels Voracek got into his own head following the deal and was trying to do too much, resulting in his struggle to put up points, according to NHL.com's Adam KImelman.

Whatever the case, Voracek is back to being nearly a point-per-game player and the Flyers and company couldn't be happier.

Radim Vrbata

Vrbata's time in Vancouver can be summed up as night and day.

After pacing the team with 31 goals and adding another 32 assists in 2014-15, the sniper fell off the map last season, collecting just 13 goals and 27 points.

This offseason, his former team took a risk on Vrbata, and early on it's paying off. The 35-year-old has bounced back, leading the Coyotes with six goals and 11 points through 16 games.

While it's early, Vrbata is on pace to hit the 30-goal, 50-point mark once again. A far cry from what we saw last year.

Nick Foligno

Like Voracek, Foligno was certainly looking like a bust after signing a six-year, $33-million contract extension during the 2014-15 season.

The Blue Jackets captain concluded that year with a dazzling 31 goals and 73 points, but 2015-16 was another story. The 29-year-old scored just 12 goals and 37 points in 72 games.

Fast forward one year, and Foligno appears to have re-kindled the scoring touch that earned him a hefty paycheck, amassing six goals and 16 points in 15 games.

Eric Staal

Admittedly, last season looked like we were seeing the fall of Staal.

The long-time Carolina Hurricanes captain was dealt to the New York Rangers after his least productive year since his rookie campaign in 2004.

Staal played a league-high 83 games last season, but came up with just 39 points. However, the Minnesota Wild took a chance on the former 100-point man in free agency and are reaping the benefits.

The 32-year-old leads the Wild with five goals and 13 points through 16 games, and is on pace for his first 60-plus point season in five years. Newsflash: He's still got it.

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