Kammala jumla mai zuwa: Bayan wakiltar Rasha a wasannin Olympics na hunturu na 2002, an yi musayar Nikolishin daga Capitals, tare da Chris Simon, zuwa Chicago Blackhawks don Michael Nylander da
Zaɓin zagaye na uku na 2003 (Steve Werner) a ranar 1 ga Nuwamba, 2002. Nikolishin ya taka leda ne kawai a kakar wasa daya tare da Blackhawks kafin a sake shi a ranar 21 ga Yuni, 2003, zuwa Colorado Avalanche kafin kakar wasa ta 2003-04, ta karshe a NHL.