The 2005–06 Calgary Flames season was the 26th NHL season in Calgary while the team celebrated its 25th season of play. The off-season following the lockout provided ominous news for the hockey starved city of Calgary as GM Darryl Sutter announced he would not re-sign free-agent Martin Gelinas, the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs clutch performer, for the 2005–06 NHL season. Instead Sutter brought in three ageing veterans, Bryan Marchment, Tony Amonte and Darren McCarty, as free-agent reclamation projects to start the season. Nonetheless, the season began with high expectations following their surprising run to the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals.