I understand what you're trying to do, but the Devils aren't paying Meier 8.8m and Bratt 7.875m to play on the 3rd line

I understand the reasoning behind these lines, but I look at it this way:
- We have four "slow" players: Palat, Toffoli, Haula, and Holtz. At least two of them should be on the third line.
- We have two volume shooters: Hughes and Meier. They should not play together.
- We have three scoring wingers: Meier, Toffoli, and Holtz. They should be on different lines.
- There are two strategies with Holtz:
-- Give him playdrivers that can make him space (Hughes and Bratt/Mercer)
-- Give him players who are slower so he can adapt (Palat and Haula)

With these principles in mind, I would arrange the lines this way:
Meier Hischier Bratt/Mercer
B/M Hughes Holtz/Toffoli
Palat Haula H/T
Foote McLeod Bastian
Nosek Lazar

Yup. Maybe one of them but never both.

I get it... I think in this case its more of an +/- even 5 on 5 ice time (not line 1,2,3), with the big boys getting all the powerplay time/shortening the bench time if needed.
But, to your point, possibly switch Holtz and Meire or Bratt and Mercer.
Anyways just a though, Ruff like his 'pairs' so we will see. Excited for the year to start

To your point,
- The slow players a spread out... these lines aren't a typical line 1,2,3, I just cant get my head around Palat and Haula on the same line for some reason and that very well may be the case. Hence trying something new with the lineup listed
- Hughes and Meier are on different lines
- The three scoring wingers are on 3 different lines

For Holtz,
- with Nico and Mercer (no not Hughes but I think Hischier can definitely create space)
- that might work, personally I think we've seen that more often then not when he gets the call (playing with 'third' line guys), I think he needs to be in a spot to succeed

Maybe I'm way off and you are bang on, and its the top 6 people are talking about everywhere for this lineup (obviously I'm not an nhl coach), I just don't see Ruff doing your typical top 6 with this team.

I agree that Holtz should be in the top 6. Hischier's line gets a lot of defensive responsibility, so I wouldn't put Holtz there.