It was a rough year for the Flyers, but not everything was totally bad.

The Flyers' 2022-23 campaign is likely to go down as one of the worst in the history of the franchise. The club finished the season with a measly 75 points — good for seventh-worst in the NHL — ranked 24th in shots per game, 29th in goals per game, and ended the year with the worst power play in the league.

Without question, the Flyers have seen much better days.

But as bad as things got for the Orange & Black this season, a few positive developments did end up sprouting through the rubble. And many of those small silver linings can be attributed to the development of the Flyers' youth.

In particular, one red-headed youngster ended up stealing the show.

Owen Tippett blossoms into scoring weapon

Tippett was awarded the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy ahead of the Flyers' home finale Tuesday night, and he was beyond deserving of it.

The 24-year-old was under immense pressure to succeed this season after being the key piece in the return for Claude Giroux at last year's trade deadline. And how did respond? He set career highs in every major statistical category with 27 goals, 22 assists, and 49 points on the season.

Tippett's transformation to a legitimate offensive weapon didn't occur overnight. It took him some time to earn the trust of head coach John Tortorella. But once he did, it was all systems go for the Peterborough native.

“He steps on the ice, he’s dangerous,” said Tortorella after Tippett logged his first NHL hat trick in March.

“I think he thinks he’s a good player. I was just telling the coaches. We know he’s a good player. More importantly, I think he thinks he’s a good player. And he’s kind of letting it go.”

Tippett finished the season ranked second on the Flyers in goals and third in points. After a huge confidence-building season, it feels almost certain Tippett has earned himself a long-term role in Philadelphia.

"For me, this year was a big stepping stone in just kind of realizing what kind of player I needed to be to have success, and I think I was able to find that. Obviously, with that comes confidence," said Tippett during his media availability Friday.

"Going into the offseason, it helps to kind of have that confidence and be able to build off that."

Noah Cates impresses in rookie campaign

Tippett wasn't the only young player to impress in his first full season as a Flyer. Cates, who lined up as the Flyers' top-line center on occasion, stood out regularly thanks to his sound play at both ends of the ice.

After logging nine points in 16 games in the final month of the Flyers' 2021-22 season, Cates forced his way onto the opening night roster in October thanks to the strong 200-foot play he showcased throughout the preseason. And he did it while playing an entirely new position.

Cates, a natural winger, shifted to center during training camp largely due to the absence of Sean Couturier. And before long, he was taking on huge minutes against opposing teams' top players.

All in all, Cates appeared in all 82 games and finished the season with 13 goals and 38 total points. And if you ask the analytics community, some may argue Cates should even get some votes for this year's Selke Trophy.

Believe it or not, Cates led all Flyers forwards in time on ice this season. But considering he plays the exact type of two-way game Tortorella preaches to all of his young forwards, it should come as no surprise that Torts entrusted him with so much ice time.

“He’s a complete player. I trust him in all situations, as you see,” said Tortorella after the Flyers’ March 5 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

“I think as his career keeps going, I think he’s gonna feel more comfortable in offensive situations. But the way we’re trying to play, he’s a guy I need."

Travis Konecny steps up for career year

It's no secret that the Flyers have a severe deficiency in high-end talent. Following the departure of Claude Giroux, the Flyers didn't have a bona fide star player on the roster capable of shouldering the load offensively.

Or so many thought.

As it turned out, Travis Konecny had a whole lot more to give in his first season in the post-Giroux era. And by all accounts, it was a smashing success.

Konecny set a new career high in goals (31) and tied his previous career high in points (61). And had he not missed a quarter of the season due to injuries, he likely would have easily surpassed his single-season personal best of 37 assists.

Perhaps the most impressive development of Konecny's season, though, was his newfound ability to play on the penalty kill. Prior to this campaign, Konecny had never been considered a defensive stalwart by any stretch. And that may still be the case. But in his first season taking the role as a top penalty killer, he thrived, leading the Flyers (alongside Scott Laughton) with three shorthanded goals. He also posted a trio of shorthanded assists for good measure.

It was a given that Konecny would need to take on more defensive responsibilities under Tortorella, and against all odds, he became a favorite of the Flyers' new bench boss.

“I trust him. I’m always looking for him,” Tortorella said of Konecny in January.

“He’s a bundle of energy, and I love that about him. With a bundle of energy, there’s going to be some crazy stuff that happens. I don’t want to overcoach him, but when we get to being a team that is competing in big games, playoffs and all that, when we get there as a team, hopefully at that time he’ll lead the way as far as situational play. He’s still a pretty young man in this game. I’m hoping he leads the way as far as understanding some of those things when you’re in those key type of situations.”

Carter Hart appears to be very, very good

For much of the last two decades, the Flyers have been in desperate search of a high-end goalie. Ron Hextall was outstanding for the Flyers in the '80s and '90s, but since then, it's been a revolving door of underwhelming netminders in Philadelphia.

It appears that revolving door may stop with the emergence of Carter Hart.

Hart has established himself as perhaps the Flyers' best goalie since Hextall. His stats may not look particularly strong on paper (2.94 goals against average, .907 save percentage), but the 24-year-old was a game-changer all season long, stealing games for the Flyers regularly.

At the end of the season, Hart was awarded three of the Flyers' six team awards, including the Bobby Clarke Trophy, given to the team's MVP. Considering the defense he was tasked with playing behind, Hart's 2022-23 season was nothing short of masterful.

At this stage, Hart is playing the best hockey of his career. The Flyers are set to begin their rebuild this offseason, and while he'd optimally like to be playing on a competitive squad, Hart has hope in the organizational changes coming down the pike.

"I'm still only 24, but I want to win as well, and I love playing for this city. I love playing for this organization. I'm very grateful for everything they've given me and the opportunity that I've had here," said Hart during his exit interview on Friday.

"I think with the young guys we have coming up and the promise they started to show toward the second half of the season, I think it looks bright, our young core of guys. I think Danny Brière is gonna be the guy to turn things around and get this ship going the right way."

Morgan Frost takes big step forward

Undoubtedly, Frost is one of the young guys Hart was referring to as a player capable of getting the Flyers back on track.

Frost, who turns 24 in May, had a slow start to the season. After scoring a pair of goals in the season opener, he logged just four points in his next 26 games.

And then December happened.

Dating back to December 11, not a single player on the Flyers roster logged more points than Frost. The Aurora, Ontario native logged 40 points in his last 54 games of the season, and after struggling to start the campaign, he began looking like a legitimate point producer.

"I think I'd still like to be a little more consistent. I feel like sometimes I'd play really well for two games and then maybe not contribute as much for another game or two," said Frost during his exit interview.

"It is a long season, and I don't think you're gonna be your best for 82 games, but I think just finding more consistency. Just in general, I think for me personally, compared to the first half of the year, I think I showed a lot more of what I can do the second half, and hopefully that helps me going forward."

Frost still has much to learn as he develops his sea legs as an NHLer. He'll be the first to admit that. But given his strong finish to the season, it's hard not to be intrigued with his potential entering a critical offseason offseason in which he is set to become a restricted free agent.