Complex sentence: After the NHA suspended in 1917, it was taken over by the National Hockey League and awarded to the NHL champions and the winner of this trophy would move on to face the winners of other leagues for the Stanley Cup.
Split into simpler sentences: After the NHA suspended in 1917, the Cup was taken over by the National Hockey League and awarded to the NHL champions. The NHL champions would then play off against the winners of other leagues for the Stanley Cup.