MONTREAL - Montreal Canadiens forward Zack Kassian has been cleared to play again after spending more than two months in a substance abuse program.

The NHL and the NHL Players' Association announced Tuesday that Kassian "has been returned to available status and has entered the follow-up care phase of the substance abuse and behavioural health program."

"Kassian’s care continues to be administered pursuant to the NHL/NHLPA SABH Program."

The Canadiens then placed Kassian on waivers.

Kassian, a native of Windsor, Ont., was placed in stage two of the program after he was involved in an early-morning, single-car accident on Oct. 4. He was deemed to have violated stage one, which mainly involves counselling.

The 24-year-old right-winger was acquired by the Canadiens in an off-season trade with the Vancouver Canucks. He has yet to play a regular-season game for Montreal.

Kassian has 66 points (35 goals, 31 assists) in 198 career games. He had 16 points (10-6) in 42 games for the Canucks last season.