Semantics.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=675349
"Under the provisions of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, each team is allowed two compliance buyouts in the next two seasons, during specific windows of availability, as spelled out by the CBA.
The first of these windows opened at 11 p.m. on June 26 and closes at 5 p.m. on July 4. Any player bought out during this window has his salary-cap charge completely wiped clean, but the team must pay two-thirds of the remaining contract across twice the remaining term of the deal. The bought-out players become free agents July 5 and can sign with any team, other than the one that bought out the player."