NHL Teams Embark on Annual Rite of Passage: The Locker Cleanout As the 2023-2024 NHL season draws to a close, teams across the league are beginning the bittersweet process of locker cleanout. The annual ritual marks the end of another grueling campaign, where players and staff bid farewell to a season of triumph and heartbreak. As players pack up their gear and say goodbye to teammates, they also reflect on the highs and lows of the past few months. With the offseason looming, NHL teams will soon be looking to retool and rebuild for the next campaign, but for now, the focus is on closure and the memories made during the 2023-2024 season.