I'm not sure why they got rid of him in the first place. Mason was having an off year and the guys around him weren't helping much. As for bringing him back as an advisor… it doesn’t really matter. I’m not sure why Hitch took that opening, I thought he would sit tight this season and try and get a head coaching job next year. But with all the young guys getting the jobs as bench bosses, this may be the best job security for him.
I am not trying to stand up for Mason, but last season was not his fault. Yes, he was doing poorly, but the team as a whole just quit after the first period of half of our games last season. It didnt matter who was in the net, Mason or Garon.
Mason did disappoint, but there were bigger problems. Hitch went exactly as any other coach would have in the NHL. When times get tough, the coach is the first to go.