NHL, NHLPA reinstate Predators' Watson

Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson has been returned to available status and entered the follow-up care phase of the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program, the NHL and NHLPA announced Monday.

Watson entered Stage 2 of the program in January.

He was suspended in September after pleading no contest to a domestic assault charge over the summer.

Watson's original ban of 27 games was reduced to 18 in October.

He played 34 contests for the Predators from Nov. 15 to Jan. 23 and was then suspended again under the terms of the program.