Aging NHL Stars Finding the Fountain of Youth in 2015-16

As an NHL player progresses into his 30s, his production typically dips. It's a slow decline—sometimes more rapid than expected—that awaits them statistically.

Some, however, discover the Fountain of Youth and see a jump in numbers even as their years move forward. It's a rare thing, but there are more than a handful of prime examples of these kinds of players this season.

Career years are being carved out by some. Others are rebounding nicely from injury or tough seasons plagued by turmoil.

All of the players on this slideshow are in their 30s. One is even in his 40s. And each is having a big impact on his team and its standing in the league.

Click ahead to check out a collection of aging NHL stars who've found the Fountain of Youth in 2015-16.

Mikko Koivu, Minnesota Wild

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Age: 32

The numbers so far: 29 games played, six goals, 19 assists, 25 points, plus-four rating, 20:10 minutes per game, 56.1 faceoff percentage.

The comparison: Mikko Koivu of the Minnesota Wild is coming off a 48-point year, the worst full-season total of his career. This season, he's on pace for 17 goals and 70 points—a total he last reached in 2010. He's among the top performers in the possession game and a legitimate dark-horse Selke Trophy candidate, as was covered in a recent slideshow.

Why he's rejuvenated: The veteran has played most of the season alongside youngsters Jason Zucker and Nino Niederreiter, and the 23-year-olds have given Koivu renewed energy. The team's captain and mentor has stayed healthy so far, and it has given Koivu the opportunity to play at his best on the ice.

Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks

Chris Szagola/Associated Press

Age: 35

The numbers so far: 32 games played, nine goals, 22 assists, 31 points, plus-eight rating, 20.9 shooting percentage.

The comparison: Like his twin brother Daniel, Henrik Sedin appears to be getting better with age after a few down seasons. The Vancouver Canucks captain is on track to bump up his point total into the 80s for the first time since 2012 and is currently top 10 on the NHL points list and fifth in assists. 

Why he's rejuvenated: Henrik and Daniel seem to be linked in every way. The linemates depend on each other to produce, and when both are healthy and on their game, it's magical to watch. The playmaking brother is enjoying the freedom afforded him by coach Willie Desjardins with plenty of power-play time and very little in the way of shorthanded minutes in the more than 18 he averages per night.

Jaromir Jagr, Florida Panthers

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

Age: 43

The numbers so far: 28 games played, nine goals, 12 assists, 21 points, 17.3 shooting percentage.

The comparison: Jaromir Jagr is well removed his prime, when he was perennially putting up 100-plus points. But for 43, he's enjoying a nice return to productivity with the Florida Panthers. Jagr is on pace for around 60 points—which is incredible when you consider the number of candles that'll be on his next birthday cake.

Why he's rejuvenated: Jagr remains one of the most fitness-crazed players in the game, and despite some small injury issues so far, he's still able to play decent minutes with a cast of youngsters around him. His biggest asset, aside from the size and ability to protect the puck even without top-end speed, is the ability to keep having fun with the game.

Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Age: 30

The numbers so far: 29 games, five goals, 17 assists, 22 points, plus-eight rating, 28:13 minutes per game.

The comparison: The Minnesota Wild's Ryan Suter has been a 30 to 40-point defenseman for most of his career, which has made him a top blueliner for a long time but not among those considered seriously for the Norris most years. This season, the 30-year-old is on pace for his best year offensively by far, projecting at more than 60 points. Combine that with his heavy workload as the NHL's minutes leader and his solid defensive abilities, and you've got yourself an elite rearguard worthy of an award.

Why he's rejuvenated: Most of Suter's additional production has come on the power play this season. He's added a pair of goals and nine points—nearly half of his points this season—with the man advantage. Already, he's just two shy of last seasons total on the power play.

Jeff Carter, Los Angeles Kings

Alex Gallardo/Associated Press

Age: 30

The numbers so far: 30 games played, 11 goals, 16 assists, 27 points, plus-14 rating, 96 shots.

The comparison: Jeff Carter has always been a prolific goal-scorer, hitting the 20-goal mark in all but one of his 10 previous seasons. But he's been a point-per-game player just once in that time—way back in 2009 with the Philadelphia Flyers. Carter is flirting with that pace, seven seasons later, as he enters his 30s. 

Why he's rejuvenated: The Los Angeles Kings are relying on Carter as their top scoring center, and he's averaging more than a minute per game more than his four previous seasons with the team. They're not as deep at the position, so the distribution is heavier at the top with Carter and Anze Kopitar. Carter has also found great chemistry with power forward Milan Lucic and speedster Tyler Toffoli.

Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins

Mike Carlson/Associated Press

Age: 38

The numbers so far: 27 games played, five goals, 12 assists, 17 points, plus-10 rating, 24:23 minutes per game.

The comparison: Zdeno Chara finally began to look his age on the ice last season, managing 20 points in 63 games while struggling with injury and inconsistency that mimicked the Boston Bruins' struggles as a team as they missed the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons. This year, the 6'9" defensive stalwart is again menacing on the back end and making waves offensively. He has the third best plus/minus rating among the top 20 scoring defensemen.

Why he's rejuvenated: Health has made a huge difference, and Chara has rebounded nicely from the ligament tear in his left leg that cost him nearly 20 games. He's a genetic freak and works as hard or harder than most NHL stars at his conditioning, and it has paid off with a year that could put him back in the Norris talk. He's on pace for his first 50-point season since 2012.

Mike Cammalleri, New Jersey Devils

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

Age: 33

The numbers so far: 31 games played, 11 goals, 20 assists, 31 points, plus-12 rating, 87 shots, 12.7 shooting percentage.

The comparison: Since his big 82-point campaign with the Calgary Flames in 2009, Mike Cammalleri has topped out at 50 points in a single season. He's also been unable to play more than 68 contests in any one year because of injury troubles. This year, he's been one of the league's best, ranking in the top 10 in the league in assists and points and is on pace for what would be his second point-per-game season.

Why he's rejuvenated: Aside from being healthy, Cammalleri has also enjoyed a stable environment with the New Jersey Devils, where there was a ton of turmoil last season—his first after signing a lucrative free-agent deal with the team the previous summer. Bench boss Pete DeBoer was fired midseason and then-GM Lou Lamoriello, Adam Oates and Scott Stevens formed a three-headed head-coaching monster the rest of the way. Now he has first-year NHLer John Hynes guiding the way and is being relied on heavily to lead the team as a veteran sniper.

Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Age: 35

The numbers so far: 32 games played, 14 goals, 20 assists, 34 points, plus-eight rating, 118 shots.

The comparison: One of the Vancouver Canucks' wonder twins, Daniel Sedin is on pace for 35 goals and 87 points this season. His 12.1 shooting percentage is sky high compared to the 8.8, 7.1 and 8.7 percent he's managed the past three seasons, and he is on track for an 80-plus-point season for the first time since 2011, when the Canucks reached the Stanley Cup Final.

Why he's rejuvenated: Daniel is in the second year of new head coach Willie Desjardins' system after a smothering season under the defensive-minded John Tortorella and confidence seems to have returned. His career has been trending downward since a concussion in 2012, but he's fully healthy now with no hesitation and still has the slick skills and vision that made him a one of the league's top scorers for a handful of seasons before then.

All statistics courtesy of NHL.com.