I don't see a problem with these NM's dropping this special new gear. If they dropped mats to make special gear instead, then they really couldn't have made them untradeable. And the fact that they are untradeable makes it so people (esp. higher ranked ones) won't just camp them to get things to sell. IMHO it is a good way to let everyone have a chance at these NM's and their gear. ^^

But I don't really get why they drop regular gear that can be crafted. I guess it is so even if you don't get the special item, you still get something nice, but surely they could have come up with a better consolation prize. My LS went out and killed a bunch of the new NM's last night and we got a load of random gear. Rings, bracelets, actons, cowls, footwear, jackets . . . that were mostly unwanted. So guess where all that gear is probably going to show up? The market wards.