Hey Killer - I've thought about this recently. I think the answer lies within your question.
One can certainly argue about if this was the greatest team ever, had the best this or that, BS about the era, etc.
It is indisputable, however, that they had three all-time greats - three of the top 50 (easily) or better players of alltime,
importantly, each in their prime, playing simultaneously.
On the ice, it all started there.
One can argue that it was the most lethal trio ever. Without question it was among the very best.
Talk about a core, a foundation.
These were truly GREAT players, among the very best the game has ever seen. Think about it. Whenever a discussion about the top 5-10 dmen ever appears here, Denis Potvin is included, no exceptions. Whenever the discussion turns to top snipers, Mike Bossy is included on every top 5 list. Most complete players? Trottier is always at or near the top.
That, of course, is not to take away from an exceedingly deep and versatile supporting cast which could beat you at any type of game you wanted to play (physical, open ice). Or a HOF coach, whom to this day is talked about with a degree of respect, reverance and true love by his players unlike any other I've certainly ever known.
But everything was built upon those three; that's where it started.
I say that as one who watched the dynasty built and realized, through its entirety.