Hischier's line gets a lot of defensive responsibility, which won't be good for Holtz. I'd swap Holtz, Haula, and Mercer so Holtz is with Hughes and Haula is 3C

Why put Mercer at center. He has high end talent he needs to be in the top 6

Fitzgerald said after the Haula trade that he did it to get Mercer into the top 6 at wing. It took Ruff like two months to stick Haula with Hughes and Mercer at 3C. I agree with you, but Ruff is going to concoct some awful thing like you see here, except he'll probably sit Holtz for no reason.

24 man roster, you gotta drop Teirney

Nosek should be in top-12…probably in place of Foote. I think Holtz will play an offensive situation heavy role…so he probably sees a lot of o-zone starts…which means we will see a lot of him on left side. I think Haula was brought back to be 3C most of the time.

Maybe…

Meier - Hischier - Mercer
Palat - Hughes - Toffoli
Holtz - Haula - Bratt
Nosek - McLeod - Bastian

(Same defense as above)

Alternatively….

Meier - Hughes - Bratt
Holtz - Hischier - Toffoli
Palat - Haula - Mercer
Nosek - McLeod - Bastian

I agree with you on Haula. But,we know that Jack doesn't take face offs or say is successful in his work in the circle which is why I'm reluctant to move Haula to the 3rd line.

Meier - Hischier - Toffoli
Palat - Hughes - Mercer
Bratt - Haula - Holtz
Foote - Mcleod - Bastian

Mercer/ Hughes can split faceoffs (not ideal), lines 2 & 3 more offensive, 1 & 4 more defense.

Agree with giving Holtz best chance to succeed on a easy assignments.