After decades as the most dominant individual on the Bruins leadership team — as general manager for 28 years and president for 17 — Harry Sinden has faded largely into the background since taking the title of senior advisor to the owner nine years ago.

For media members, it was more likely to see him at a Bruins game against the Panthers in Sunrise, Fla. — near his second home — than at the Garden.

This was Peter Chiarelli’s team since the day he took over as GM May 26, 2009, and it was commonly assumed Sinden had little or no input on major decisions.

But after the club fired Chiarelli on April 15, the decision-making duties fell to team president Cam Neely and CEO Charlie Jacobs — and, of course, whomever they name as the new GM.

And according to a well-informed NHL source, team owner Jeremy Jacobs, concerned that both son Charlie and Neely lack experience running an NHL franchise, also has asked the 82-year-old Sinden to play a larger role than in recent years.

Sinden might be involved in the selection of the new GM. That, of course, is widely expected to be assistant GM Don Sweeney.

The team also has interest in New York Rangers assistant GM Jeff Gorton, who previously was with the Bruins as assistant and acting GM. Gorton, however, is under contract and might not be made available by Rangers boss Glen Sather. He also is reportedly being pursued by Toronto.

The senior Jacobs wants Sinden involved, and he likely will help vet and interview candidates, though the extent of his role is unknown.

“I think (Jacobs) just wanted someone to be a sounding board and an adviser,” the source said.

The belief around the league is that Sather, who’ll be 72 in September, relies heavily on the 45-year-old Gorton and has told him he will be his successor. Gorton will be paid handsomely, perhaps in the $3 million ballpark.

While other names have been mentioned for the job with the Bruins, including ex-Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero (now with New Jersey), former Washington GM George McPhee and Nashville assistant GM Paul Fenton, it always seemed obvious that Sweeney is the best choice.

“I do think they’ll end up with Sweeney,” the source said. “One, without Ray Shero and Jeff Gorton in the mix, there really aren’t that many options. And two, he gets along with Cam. It’d be the easiest transition. He’s spent the last 5-6 years learning the business from Peter. And because he’s got the connection to Peter, I imagine he’s got the confidence of Claude (Julien).”

The source predicted Julien will remain Bruins coach, at least for the start of next season.

“You always hear that Cam is not a big fan of (Julien),” the source said. “But I wouldn’t fire Claude, for the simplest reason: Why would I want one chance when I can have two chances? I can keep Claude. He’s certainly had got enough of a track record that if it goes well I can say, ‘Great.’

“And if it doesn’t go well, then I can fire him. No one is going to blame (Neely) for giving him a chance. For me, it’s a no-brainer.”

Assuming Julien remains as coach, he will face substantial heat for his team to get off to a good start next season. If the B’s struggle out of the gate, a change could come quickly. One possible replacement would be former Bruins star and ex-Capitals coach Adam Oates, a Hall of Famer who set up many of Neely’s goals.

With Neely now in charge, Sinden back in the picture and Oates a coaching candidate, the Bruins might be trying to solve their problems by going back to the future. Is that a good thing? Maybe we’ll find out.