40.2 Automatic Suspension - Category I: Any player that injures or tries to injure an official gets a minimum of 20 games. The rulebook defines "intent to injure" as "any physical force which a player knew or should have known could reasonably be expected to cause injury." So if anyone tried to pull a Chris Simon on an official, he can't then claim, "I didn't know it could hurt him like that." Actually, he can, but his claim won't be taken seriously.
40.3 Automatic Suspension - Category II: This rule subset outlines a lighter punishment if a player applies physical force "without intent to injure." It also includes a provision against spitting on an official. Violations under this rule incur a minimum 10-game suspension.
40.4 Automatic Suspension - Category III: A longer list of offenses�including physicially demeaning, physically threatening, spitting at (as opposed to on) an official, or physically forcing himself free from an official�incurs an even lighter 3-game suspension minimum.
But it does not seem the NHL believes this slash had any intent.