For what it's worth, the traditional list of 33 best players of the Russian Premier League last year included the following defenders:
Right-Back:
1) Branislav Ivanovic (Lokomotiv)
2) Alexandr Anyukov (Zenit)
3) Vasiliy Berezutskiy (CSKA)
Center-Back (Right):
1) Sergey Ignashevich (CSKA)
2) Denis Kolodin (Dynamo)
3) Radoslav Kovac (Spartak)
Center-Back (Left):
1) Jan Durica (Saturn)
2) Martin Stranzl (Spartak)
3) Nicholas Lomberts (Zenit)
Left-Back:
1) Alexey Berezutskiy (CSKA)
2) Kim Dong Jin (Zenit)
3) Emir Spahic (Lokomotiv)
Not only did Skrtel not make the list - he was also the only member of Zenit's first-choice back line to not make it.
I also just checked the Zenit forums - the supporters are sad that he left and are talking about replacements. No hysterics regarding an irreplaceable player leaving, but they do bemoan the fact that they won't have him for their cup tie against Villareal.