The league was reduced to six teams for the 1942-43 NHL season : the Boston Bruins , Chicago Black Hawks , Detroit Red Wings , Montreal Canadiens , New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs .
Over the years some teams died out , and others were created : the Boston Bruins , New York Americans , Montreal Maroons , Pittsburgh Pirates ( later Philadelphia Quakers ) , New York Rangers , Chicago Black Hawks and Detroit Cougars ( later Falcons , then Red Wings ) .