Austin Watson has been suspended indefinitely and admitted into Stage 2 of the NHL's substance abuse and behavioral health program.

The suspension is "related exclusively to his ongoing issues with alcohol abuse," the NHL and NHLPA announced in a joint statement.

Watson had been suspended for the preseason and the first 18 games of the regular season after pleading no contest to domestic abuse this summer.

He had seven goals and six assists in 34 games for the Nashville Predators this season.