Well... I think all users deserves the feature back...
This is likely to remain an item of lingering resentment (like the demise of the Off Topic and censored posts) if it's not brought back. Why continue to alienate members who are willing to use PMs "at their own risk"?
EDIT: btw, if you are not one of the select few that can still PM, are you able to respond to the PM you recived or is it a one way communication? As one of the outcast I have no direct way to test this.