Flames get back to work

CALGARY — Who will be the regular defensive partner of Flames captain Mark Giordano in a shortened season? It’s among many questions that need to be answered in a short Calgary Flames training camp that began Sunday.

T.J. Brodie signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the off-season leaves Rasmus Andersson the prime candidate to lock into the top defensive pairing alongside the 2019 Norris Trophy winner.

“We’ve played together in a bunch of different situations and a bunch of different games,” Giordano said. “The one thing that obviously sticks out most to me is his poise with the puck.”

Another checkmark for Andersson is he’s a righthanded shot, which complements the lefty Giordano.

Of the 45 players invited to Calgary’s January training camp, 41 reported for medical and physicals Sunday and hit the ice Monday.

Four were to arrive later. Canadian forwards Connor Zary and Jakob Pelletier and American goaltender Dustin Wolf are playing in the world junior hockey championship in Edmonton until Tuesday.

Swedish defenceman Oliver Kylington is in Canada, but delayed by immigration issues, said Flames general manager Brad Treliving.

Goaltender Tyler Parsons underwent ankle surgery last month and won’t attend camp. Goaltender Garret Sparks and defenceman Mike Stone have been invited on professional tryout contracts.