NHL Draft's likely dead Sportsnet has learned the 2005 NHL Entry Draft scheduled for June 25-26th in Ottawa is about to be officially called off. Sportsnet.ca -- The future of phenom Sidney Crosby and those hoping to be part of the 2005 crop picked for the NHL draft just got a lot more complicated. Sportsnet has learned the 2005 NHL Entry Draft scheduled for June 25-26th in Ottawa is about to be officially called off. The NHL is expected to announce its decision tomorrow. The draft becomes the latest victim of the lockout as both sides in the dispute remain miles apart, both literally and figuratively. An alternative to the formal draft is being considered. It's believed the league would conduct an electronic selection process either over the internet, a mass teleconference call, or a combination of both. Sources say Ottawa and the Senators' home, the Corel Centre, may consider picking up the 2008 NHL Draft in lieu of the cancellation. Crosby, currently filling up the nets in the QMJHL for the Rimouski Oceanic, was expected to be the top pick in the 2005 draft.