CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs have offered contract for next season to pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Travis Wood and reached agreements with catcher George Kottaras and infielder Donnie Murphy. The moves were announced Monday night. Kottaras, acquired from Kansas City last week, is due $1,075,000. Murphy will earn $825,000. Besides Samardzija and Wood, the Cubs also offered contracts to five other arbitration-eligible players: pitchers Pedro Strop and James Russell, infielders Darwin Barney and Luis Valbuena and outfielder Nate Schierholtz. Pitchers Chang-Yong Lim and Daniel Bard and infielder Mat Gamel were not offered contracts. Lim was not eligible for arbitration. Chicagos 40-man roster now stands at 37 players. Paul Millsap Jersey . According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, the Maple Leafs have trade offers on the table for the 26-year-old, but none have been deemed acceptable by the team. Tyler Lydon Jersey . He made the comment at a media availability Saturday prior to Game 2 of the Boston-Montreal playoff series when a Quebec reporter said there is sentiment in Quebec that the NHL looks more favourably on Seattle than Quebec City when it comes to future expansion. http://www.authenticnuggetsproshop.com/Jamal-Murray-Jersey/ . -- Quarterback Josh Johnson has returned to the San Francisco 49ers and his former college coach, Jim Harbaugh. Dikembe Mutombo Jersey .com) - Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau has been selected as the NHLs Rookie of the Month for December, the league announced Friday. Jarred Vanderbilt Nuggets Jersey . -- Dane Fox scored his 61st and 62nd goals of the season and Brendan Gaunce had a goal and three assists as the Erie Otters downed the Kitchener Rangers 7-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action.Ed. Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team. In a perfect world, Team Canada head coach Brent Sutter would be bringing every eligible NHL player with him to Malmo, Sweden as part of his squad at the 2014 World Junior Hockey Championship, but thats not where we reside. As it stands, theres the distinct possibility that Minnesota Wild defenceman Mathew Dumba will be the only NHL roster player going. Nathan MacKinnon isnt about to be excused from the high-flying Colorado Avalanche and the Washington Capitals arent about to divest themselves of rugged forward Tom Wilson, but the final two names on that last are intriguing options - defenceman Morgan Rielly of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames forward Sean Monahan. While the signs seem to indicate that neither will be released, both would provide some NHL-calibre experience (well, as veteran as a 19-year-old can be) to a team short on returning players from last years roster and experienced with such a high level of play. Only Jonathan Drouin, Griffin Reinhart, Jake Paterson and Charles Hudon are back - and Hudon actually missed the tournament because of injury. But which of the pair does Canada need more and which is more likely available? On Monday, Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle called loaning out Rielly, "counterproductive" to his development and director of hockey operations Dave Poulin told the Toronto Sun that the team viewed Rielly as a core piece moving forward this season. "Id say hes a big part of this group right here, right now and we dont see that changing at this point," Poulin said on Friday. "Thats the way were looking at it." That said, Hockey Canada has stated that the Leafs have not officially ruled out loaning out Rielly. Riellys transition to the pro game hasnt been without its rookie year bumps.dddddddddddd Hes been a healthy scratch six times in 27 games this season and has struggled in his own end at times, especially while partnered with Cody Franson. While the Leafs defence was been far from strong, they do have a surplus of blueliners and the team could easily make do without Rielly (who had a goal and two assists in six games at last years WJHC) from two weeks. The former Moose Jaw Warriors confident puck-handling and passing, as well as his shot from the point, could make him the ideal candidate to quarterback the power play for Brent Sutters team. The potential inclusion of Monahan is a more complicated proposition. Last week, the first-year forward was placed on injured reserve by the Flames with a cracked bone in his foot. Hes currently listed as week-to-week. Now, this injury might conclude any discussion of Jay Feaster loaning out Monahan, but if the timeframe on his injury is accurate, it wouldnt preclude his participation. But the fear of his injury recurring while away from his NHL club could be a concern. Monahan has inarguably been a more central figure to the Flames this season than Rielly has to the Leafs. On a team needing offence, Monahan sits second on the Flames in both goals (nine) and points (15.) The fact that the former Ottawa 67 is so important to the teams 22nd-ranked offence means that his absence would be greatly felt. But there is a flipside to the injury. If the Flames can do more than tread water during his absence and find scoring from elsewhere, then theres a chance that Bob Hartleys club would feel more confident about allowing the Brampton, Ontario native to head to Malmo. With no MacKinnon, Monahan could be a fine replacement to centre a line with Drouin. Yes, the chances of either Rielly or Monahan suited up for Canada are slim, but which of the two would make the bigger impact? As always, its Your! Call. ' ' '