Holtz should be on this 23 man roster ahead of Tierney, probably somewhere on the 3rd line.
I think Holtz will be more than ready to contribute in the Devils top 9 for next season.

Based on the reported exit interview feedback, it sounds like he will get his shot, for sure ... How he performs & how long of a leash they give him remains to be seen. Management has clearly mapped out their expectations for Holtz & the team, so it looks like he's reached a make or break moment in NJ .... based on interviews & actions, Fitzgerald is not in a waiting mood anymore. Holtz may turn out to be a good pro, but if he doesn't show this year, I suspect he goes to bring in another proven veteran to replace Toffoli next off-season.... Adding him to the line of solid young players like Zacha, Sharangovich who ran out of road in NJ. If they resign Toffoli, and Holtz shows at least some marginal improvement, maybe he sticks around, regardless.... Let's hope he just hits out of the gate, he certainly will be well protected with veterans like Palat & Haula as likely line mates. October is too far away

There are 8 locks in top 9 ... And I suspect, as Tintin says, Holtz is pretty much a sure thing at 3RW ... So that sets up insane competition for the 4th line & final 5 roster spots at forward. McLeod, Bastian, Foote, Clarke, Lazar, Tierney, Nosek. It's going to be fierce.

I think we will see Holtz on left side more often.

Meier - Hischier - Bratt
Palat - Hughes - Toffoli
Holtz - Haula - Mercer
Nosek/Foote - McLeod - Bastian/Lazar
(Tierney to Utica)

Alternatively….
Meier - Hischier - Bratt
Palat - Hughes - Toffoli
Nosek - Haula - Mercer
Foote - McLeod - Bastian/Lazar
(Holtz starts in Utica; 8 dmen on roster)

You are probably correct, he's likely more comfortable/ effective on the left. Will be interesting to see how it plays out. If history is our guide, Ruff will be mixing things up quite often anyway.

Nosek is an offensive black hole, but he is excellent on FOs and on D in his own zone. His impact might be quite limited (e.g. PK, strategic FOs) if he is playing on the wing. You might be better off with someone else as an everyday 4th line wing.