On June 5, 2013, he announced his retirement to accept a job as the director of player development for the Nashville Predators, where he played from 2005 to 2009.

In 2018, he was promoted to the general manager of the Predators' American Hockey League affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.

Nichol has represented the Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, and San Jose Sharks during his NHL career.

During the NHL lockout season of 2004–05, Nichol played for the London Racers in the British Elite Ice Hockey League, scoring 28 points in 24 games.

On June 20, 2011, Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson announced that Nichol, and teammate Jamal Mayers, would not be resigned for the 2011–12 season.