Just ordered my new third jersey from the sabers store. They aren't even guarenteeing them for Christmas ordering them now.
The woman that worked there said they weren't even in production yet and the one on display is an actual players jersey that wasn't numbered yet.

I have heard the first order of jerseys will not be available from Reebok until the middle to end of November. Once they arrive they have to be sent out for customization which is done locally since Reebok does not offer the sewn numbers, just those horrible printed ones or ones that are just pressed on but not really sewn and all the wrong size. I am sure some shirts will be available for christmas but unless you have one preordered chances are slim you'll get one through the store.

Just a question, but when preordering, are they automatically for the replica, which is the cheapest one? Or is it for the expensive authentic one?

That's correct. Reebok completely dropped the ball on 3rd jersey production. Most people will be lucky to have them by Christmas.

What about ordering from nhl.com? Will those probably arrive after christmas too?

I believe you get your choice of replica or authentic. When I preordered mine they told be probley December.

I ordered mine over the phone, and don't expect it until Dec.
They say late Nov, but then I got it personalized, and then it takes
10 working days to get here, so mid Dec. as long as I got it when
the Sabres visit the Ducks out here, GO SABRES!!!