While the Devils made headlines with the acquisition of Jacob Markstrom on Wednesday, there also was a bit of disappointing news.

Erika Wachter won’t return to the New Jersey Devils telecasts on MSG Network. In a post on Instagram, she revealed that her contract wasn’t renewed. She handled it with class. Something that obviously isn’t a two-way street when it comes to how MSG operates under CEO James Dolan.

Wachter served as the host of Devils pregame and postgame for six years. She also was front and center on intermission segments covering the team. An area local from Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, Wachter is a Syracuse graduate who has a degree in broadcast journalism.

She served as a production assistant for ESPN. Wachter moved on to holding on-air positions for NESN in Boston and CPTV in Connecticut. In 2014-15, she was a sports reporter for the University of Connecticut, covering multiple sports, including basketball, football, and hockey.

Wachter became the host of Devils telecasts in 2018. Prior to that, she worked for two years at Fox 5, winning a New York Emmy Award for her work in Health/Science: Program Special.

Her hard work didn’t go unnoticed. She received a New York Emmy nomination for best sports anchor in 2022.

Considering how good she was on Devils games, it’s disappointing that Wachter was let go. Unfortunately, it’s business as usual for MSG. They lose a quality person by not keeping Wachter. She is also a host on both MLB Network and NHL Network. Something she’ll continue to do.

There’s even a petition online to keep her. I signed it. If there’s one thing Rangers and Devils fans can agree on, it’s that Wachter’s work stood out. She definitely added a lot to the Devils broadcasts. Not only is she knowledgeable, but she also has a good personality. 

For someone with her background, it shouldn’t take too long for Wachter to get a new job working for another team. She’ll be missed on Devils telecasts.