Backes (illness) will return for Thursday's home contest against the visiting Canucks.

EDGE Analysis

After he practiced for two consecutive days, the B's have decided that their versatile, power-play forward is all systems go for his season debut. Expect Backes to line up on the third line opposite left-wing grinder Tim Schaller while being centered by 2016-17 playoff breakout performer, Sean Kuraly. This bottom-six assignment isn't conducive to Backes' chances of making an serious splash in fantasy, but he did produce a decent 38 points (17 goals, 21 assists) in 74 games with the B's last season and could be a worthy plug once he gets settled in.

Backes (illness) practiced for the second consecutive day Wednesday and could return to the lineup Thursday against Vancouver.

EDGE Analysis

The second-year Bruin has yet to play in 2017-18 due to a case of diverticulitis, though he skated on the team's fourth line and second power-play unit during Wednesday's practice. If Backes continues in these roles during Thursday's morning skate, expect him to dress for the tilt with Vancouver and push Matt Beleskey or Frank Vatrano out of the lineup.

Backes (illness) returned to practice Tuesday and has not been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Canucks yet, Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports Boston reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backes has apparently lost 10 pounds during his battle with diverticulitis, but his early return to practice is encouraging and puts him well ahead of the 3-to-4 week timeline initially set out for him. Also encouraging is the fact that the Bruins demoted Austin Czarnik and Danton Heinen on Tuesday, making way for Backes and Patrice Bergeron (lower body) to potentially make their returns to the lineup in the near future.

Backes (illness) was moved to injured reserve Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Having been already ruled out for 3-to-4 weeks Wednesday, this transaction was only a formality. While Backes is out, Sean Kuraly looks set to fill a third-line role, where he won't provide as much offense as the former Blue, though he'll likely provide a similar level of physicality.

Backes has been diagnosed with diverticulitis and will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks, but is expected to miss at least the next 3-to-4 weeks.

EDGE Analysis

For the uninitiated, diverticulitis is an inflammation or infection of the small pouches in the digestive tract that can cause great discomfort and digestive problems. Therefore, it is difficult to say at this point when Backes will be able to return to action and hopefully we will know more once he has undergone a more thorough evaluation. Sean Kuraly will likely continue to center Boston's third line, while Riley Nash is slated to fill in on the fourth line while Patrice Bergeron (lower body) also remains sidelined.

Backes (illness) won't take part in Thursday's Opening Night contest against Nashville.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran center missed Wednesday's practice through the illness, as well, and will be hoping to recover in time for Monday's tilt with Colorado. With Backes in the press box, Sean Kuraly is slated to center the B's third line with Matt Beleskey and Frank Vatrano skating on his wings.

Backes missed Wednesday's practice while feeling under the weather, per coach Bruce Cassidy.

EDGE Analysis

With both Backes and Patrice Bergeron missing from Wednesday's session, Ryan Spooner moved up in the lineup to fill in for Bergeron, while the B's third line was comprised of Matt Beleskey, Sean Kuraly and Frank Vatrano.

Backes recorded an assist and dished out three hits Tuesday against the Red Wings.

EDGE Analysis

Backes logged 17:16 of ice time while contributing on both power play and penalty kill. The 33-year-old winger will be battling for a top-six role, but he's starting to regress after posting his first non-lockout season under 40 points since the 2007-08 campaign. Backes is likely to line up as one of the best bottom-six forwards in the league, and his fantasy contributions likely won't reach what they used to with the Blues.

Backes scored a goal on his only shot on net and recorded a minor penalty and four hits over 15:16 of ice time during Monday's Game 3 loss to Ottawa.

EDGE Analysis

The playoff veteran also picked up an assist in Game 2, so he's provided valuable secondary scoring for Boston. Backes is locked into a top-six role and is receiving power-play time with the No. 2 unit, but he shouldn't be confused with a go-to scorer at this stage of his career, and especially after he posted his worst offensive season since the 2007-08 campaign.

Backes opened the scoring in Monday's 4-2 loss against the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

Backes has struggled to get situated in Beantown. While 16 goals isn't a terrible total, he is still on track to post the worst shooting percentage of his NHL career. He is starting to show some signs of life lately, scoring three goals with an assist over his past four games. Backes remains a solid fantasy play as long as he is slotted on a line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand.