TheDevilMadeMe
Registered User
Basically what unknown said. Maurice Richard had two seasons where he made the all-star team outside of the top 10 in scoring. During this instance he isn't saved by a PPG argument but rather the weak field he was facing. When we talk about Richard's strong competition for AST spots and how impressive his AST record is, it's important to note an AST selection that looks weaker.
Bobby Hull made the AST 12 times at left wing - competing against Mahovlich and Bucyk which isn't too bad - yet he only finished outside of the top in scoring one time he made the all-star team. It was in 1970 (and similar to Richard's 1952 2nd AST) as Hull finished 15th in scoring, 4th in goals, and 4th in PPG missing 15 games.
I have no problems noting when an All-Star nod seems to have been largely driven by weak competition. I do have a problem with the "throw think kitchen sink" approach that some of the fans of modern players are using - making wild, unsupported claims like "Richard was just getting reputation votes" against whichever older player they want to bring down.